ROLLING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A ROLLING DEVICE

Abstract

A 3d-printed roller device (100, 200, 300, 400) comprising: an inner element having a raceway surface (12) on its outer surface; an outer element having a raceway surface (14) facing the raceway surface of the inner element and arranged outside the inner element;and rolling bodies (15) which are arranged to roll between the two raceway surfaces (12, 14), wherein at least one of the inner element and the outer element has a space (10) formed therein, the space (10) being provided with a mechanism (20) for maintaining spatial strength which maintains the strength of the inner element or the outer element, wherein the mechanism for maintaining spatial strength (20) consists of a single element or a combination of a diagonal element (21) which is arranged diagonally, a horizontal element (23) which is arranged horizontally, or a vertical element (25) which is arranged vertically with respect to the horizontal plane when the inner element is placed on the horizontal plane;wherein at least one of the inner element and the outer elements comprising the space (10) with the mechanism formed therein for maintaining spatial rigidity (20) is manufactured as an integral part by a 3D printer.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to a rolling device and a method for manufacturing a rolling device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA rolling device includes an inner member having a raceway surface formed on its outer surface and an outer member having a raceway surface facing the raceway surface of the inner member and disposed outside the inner member. A plurality of rolling elements are disposed between the inner member and the outer member, and thus the outer member is movable relative to the inner member. A basic configuration of such a rolling device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Literature 1 below and the like. Patent Literature 1 referred to below discloses a configuration in which a moving block serving as an inner member is movable along a guide rail serving as an outer member fixed to a fixing portion.Since the rolling device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 below includes a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner member and the outer member, a rapid movement can be achieved. Accordingly, the rolling device is used in various fields, namely, those of a robot, a machine tool, a medical instrument, and aircraft equipment. A decrease in the weight of the rolling device is attempted to use the rolling device in various fields. In recent years, as a countermeasure for reducing the weight of the rolling device, the rolling device is cut to realize thinning and decrease in the thickness of the rolling device or perforation thereof. Further, as a material constituting the rolling device, for example, a titanium material is used.Further relevant prior art is disclosed in the following documents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,569 A, JP 2002 106 558 A, U.S. Pat. No. 7,465,095 B2 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,614 A.Citing listPatent LiteraturePatent Document 1: JP 2003-202019 ADISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONPROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTIONHowever, there is a problem that even if a cutting operation is performed on the rolling device, a remarkable weight loss of the rolling device cannot be realized. Further, since a material constituting the rolling device can be determined in accordance with its use use or the use environment of the rolling device, there may be a case that a material constituting the rolling device cannot be easily changed to realize weight reduction of the rolling device.The invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and it is an object of the invention to provide a conventionally unobtainable rolling device and a method of manufacturing a rolling device capable of realizing a remarkable weight loss.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMSA rolling device according to the present invention comprises: an inner member having a raceway surface on an outer surface thereof; an outer member having a raceway surface facing the raceway surface of the inner member and disposed outside the inner member; and rolling bodies rollably disposed between both raceway surfaces, at least one of the inner member and the outer member having a space formed therein.Further, in a method of manufacturing a rolling device by a 3D printer according to the present invention, the rolling device includes an inner member having a raceway surface on an outer surface thereof; an outer member having a raceway surface facing the raceway surface of the inner member and disposed outside the inner member; rolling bodies rollably disposed between both raceway surfaces; and a space formed in at least one of the inner member and the outer member.EFFECTS OF THE INVENTIONAccording to the invention, it is possible to provide a conventionally unreachable rolling apparatus and a method for manufacturing a rolling apparatus capable of realizing a remarkable weight loss.To solve the above-described problem, a 3d-printed roller device is provided having the features of claim 1. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a rolling device having the features of claim 4. Further advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSSome examples are disclosed in the following figures. The scope of protection is, however, determined by the claims. An embodiment of the invention is disclosed in Figs. 8 to 18. The other examples are helpful in understanding the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view, partially in section, illustrating a configuration example of a rolling device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of the rolling device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of an outer member according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 4( a) and 4( b) are schematic diagrams illustrating a configuration example of an inner member according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration example of an outer member according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an outer member according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is an outer front view illustrating a rolling device according to the example. FIG. 8 is an outer side view illustrating the rolling device according to the example. FIG. 9 is an outer plan view illustrating the rolling device according to the example. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view illustrating the rolling device according to the example. FIG. 11 is an exploded diagram illustrating a state in which the rolling device of the example is disassembled. FIGS. 12( a) to 12( d) are diagrams illustrating the appearance of a guide rail according to the example, wherein FIG. 12( a) illustrates an outer front view of the guide rail according to the example, FIG. 12( b) illustrates an outer side view of the guide rail according to the example, FIG. 12( c) illustrates an outer top view of the guide rail according to the example, and FIG. 12( d) illustrates an external bottom view of the guide rail according to the example. FIG. 13 is an external perspective view illustrating the guide rail according to the example. FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a part of the guide rail according to the example. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 12( b). FIGS. 16( a) to 16( d) are diagrams illustrating an appearance of a moving block according to the example, wherein FIG. 16( a) illustrates an outer front view of the moving block according to the example, FIG. 16( b) illustrates an outer side view of the moving block according to the example, FIG. 16( c) illustrates an outer top view of the moving block according to the example, and FIG. 16( d) illustrates an outer bottom view of the moving block according to the example. FIGS. 17( a) and 17( b) are perspective views illustrating the moving block according to the example, in which FIG. FIG. 17( a) is a top perspective view of the moving block according to the example, and FIG. 17( b) is a bottom perspective view of the moving block according to the example. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B of FIG. 16( b). FIG. 19 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a case where the rolling device according to the embodiment is configured as a ball screw device. FIG. 20 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a case where the rolling device according to the embodiment is configured as a spline device. FIG. 21 is a perspective view partially cut in the longitudinal direction, exemplarily illustrating a case where the rolling device according to the embodiment is configured as a pivot bearing. FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotary bearing device of FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is an external perspective view illustrating a case where the rolling device according to the embodiment is configured as a screw shaft device. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating various application examples of the invention, and is a partially outer cross-sectional view illustrating a rolling device obtained by integrating a linear motion guide with a ball screw with each other.MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTIONPreferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Further, the following embodiments do not limit the invention described in the claims. Further, all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not essential to the solution of the invention.[First Embodiment] First, a configuration example of a rolling device 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4( b). FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view, partially in section, illustrating a configuration example of a rolling device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of an internal configuration of the rolling device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an outer member according to the first embodiment, and FIGS. 4( a) and 4( b) are schematic diagrams illustrating a configuration example of an inner member according to the first embodiment.The rolling device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a track rail 11 serving as an inner member having a track surface on its outer surface, a moving block 13 serving as an outer member having a track surface facing the track surface of the inner member and disposed outside the inner member, and balls 15 serving as rolling bodies rollably disposed between both track surfaces.The track rail 11 is an elongated member having a substantially rectangular shape in cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and having its surface provided with a rolling body rolling surface 12 formed over the entire length of the track rail 11 to serve as a track surface on which the balls 15 roll. In this case, the running rail 11 can extend along a straight line or curve. Further, a pair of rolling body rolling surfaces 12 are provided on each of the left and right sides so that a total of four rolling body rolling surfaces are provided, but the number of rolling body rolling surfaces may be arbitrarily changed depending on the application purpose of the rolling device 100.Meanwhile, the moving block 13 is provided with a rolling body load rolling surface 14 provided at a position corresponding to the rolling body rolling surface 12 of the track rail 11 so that the balls 15 roll on the track surface. A rolling body load rolling path 17 is formed by the rolling body rolling surface 12 of the running rail 11 and the rolling body load rolling surface 14 of the moving block 13, and a plurality of balls 15 are arranged while receiving a load therebetween. Further, the moving block 13 is provided with a non-load rolling body rolling path 18 extending parallel to the rolling body load rolling path 17 while being separated therefrom by a predetermined gap, and a direction changing path 19 connecting the rolling body load rolling path 17 and the non-load rolling body rolling path 18 to each other. A single endless circulation path is formed by a combination of the rolling body load rolling path 17, the no-load rolling body rolling path 18, and a pair of the direction changing paths 19 and 19 connecting two rolling paths to each other. Then, when the plurality of balls 15 are installed on the endless circulation path formed by the rolling body load rolling path 17, the no-load rolling body rolling path 18, and the pair of direction changing paths 19 and 19 to be endlessly circulated, the moving block 13 is reciprocally movable relative to the running rail 11.Then, in the rolling device 100 according to the first embodiment, at least one of the running rail 11 serving as the inner member and the moving block 13 serving as the outer member has a space 10 formed therein. Further, in the first embodiment, a description is made on the assumption that the space 10 is formed inside the moving block 13 serving as the outer member.The space 10 according to the first embodiment may be provided at any position of the rolling device 100 that does not include a portion that reciprocates the moving block 13 relative to the running rail 11. Here, a portion that moves the moving block 13 relative to the running rail 11 (a portion having the function of the rolling device 100) denotes, for example, the endless circulation path formed by the rolling body load rolling path 17 and the no-load rolling body rolling path 18 on which the plurality of balls 15 roll and the pair of direction changing paths 19 and 19 that connect the two rolling paths to each other. In this way, when the space 10 is formed inside the running rail 11 serving as the inner member or the moving block 13 serving as the outer member, the rolling device 100 according to the first embodiment can realize a remarkable weight reduction while maintaining the function of the rolling device 100.Further, a spatial strength holding mechanism 20 that holds a strength of the inner member or the outer member may be formed inside the space 10. In addition, the spatial strength holding mechanism 20 will be explained in detail with respect to the embodiment described below. However, for example, a truss structure, a frame structure, or a honeycomb structure may be used. The truss structure means a structure in which all the connection points are slidably or rotatably connected to each other and generally corresponds to a triangular connection structure. The frame structure means a structure in which all the connection points are rigidly connected to each other in a non-deformable manner and generally corresponds to a rectangular connection structure. Further, the honeycomb structure means a structure in which a honeycomb core material is interposed between two plate-shaped shells, and generally corresponds to a hexagonal joint structure.As described above, in the rolling device 100 according to the first embodiment, at least one of the running rail 11 serving as the inner member and the moving block 13 serving as the outer member has the space 10 formed therein, and the spatial strength holding mechanism 20 is formed inside the space 10. Accordingly, the rolling device 100 can be reduced in weight while maintaining its strength. Further, when a portion having the function of the rolling device 100 is formed thick and the space 10 is formed in a portion other than the portion having this function, a remarkable weight reduction can be realized while the function of the rolling device 100 is maintained. Thus, in the rolling device 100 according to the first embodiment, the amount of a material constituting the rolling device 100 can be reduced, and thus the rolling device 100 can be manufactured at low cost. Further, in the rolling device 100 according to the first embodiment, even when a titanium material, which is an expensive material, is used as a material constituting the rolling device 100, the amount of the material constituting the rolling device can be reduced as compared with the related art, and thus an increase in cost can be suppressed. Further, the rolling device 100 according to the first embodiment is used, for example, in various fields of an aircraft for which weight is to be reduced or in a consumer product that needs to be provided at low cost.In addition, as shown in FIG. 4(a), when the inner member of the rolling device 100 according to the first embodiment is viewed, a concave portion 11a or a convex portion 11b may be formed at the ends of the running rails 11 serving as a plurality of inner members. As shown in FIG. 4(b), when the concave portion 11a and the convex portion 11b are attached to each other, a plurality of the runners 11 can be easily and accurately connected to each other. With such a configuration, the running rail 11 can be easily positioned, and thus the rolling device 100 can be easily and quickly mounted.As described above, a configuration example of the rolling device 100 according to the first embodiment has been described. Next, a configuration example of a rolling device 200 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Here, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an outer member according to the second embodiment. In addition, there is a case where the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components as those of the above-described embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.[Second Embodiment] The rolling device 200 according to the second embodiment includes a track rail 11 serving as an inner member having a track surface formed on its outer surface; a moving block 13 serving as an outer member having a track surface facing the track surface of the inner member and disposed outside the inner member; balls 15 serving as rolling bodies rollably disposed between both track surfaces; a space 10 formed inside at least one of the track rail 11 serving as an inner member and the moving block 13 serving as an outer member; and an external force absorbing mechanism 30 having a telescopic structure.The space 10 is provided in at least one of the track rail 11 serving as the inner member and the moving block 13 serving as the outer member, and for example, in the vicinity of the rolling element rolling surface 12 or the rolling element load rolling surface 14 serving as the track surface. Then, an external force absorbing mechanism 30 having a telescopic structure is formed inside the space 10.The external force absorbing mechanism 30 according to the second embodiment may be formed as a telescopic structure that is formed similarly to a spring shape inside the space 10 and, for example, in the vicinity of the rolling body rolling surface 12 or the rolling body load rolling surface 14 serving as the raceway surface. Since the external force absorbing mechanism 30 is formed as a telescopic structure having a spring shape, the external force absorbing mechanism 30 can receive an external force on the raceway surface applied by the displacement of the inner member or the outer member by a load in a certain direction while providing rigidity with respect to a load in a certain direction. Specifically, the external force absorbing mechanism 30 can absorb an external force applied to the raceway surface by the displacement of the inner member or the outer member in a state where the direction of an elastic force of a spring coincides with a direction of the external force applied to the raceway surface. That is, the external force absorption mechanism 30 is formed to have an elastic direction corresponding to at least one direction of a component force of the external force in the external force applied to the raceway surface.For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the external force absorbing mechanism 30 formed in the space 10 is formed in the moving block 13 serving as an outer member, an external force applied from the running rail 11 to the rolling body load rolling surface 14 of the moving block 13 can be suitably absorbed. Thus, in the rolling device 200 according to the second embodiment, a displacement amount caused by the mounting error of the running rail 11 or the corrugation of the mounting surface of the running rail 11 can be absorbed. Even when the running rail 11 serving as the inner member is provided with the external force absorbing mechanism 30, an external force applied from the moving block 13 as the outer member to the rolling body rolling surface 12 of the running rail 11 can be suitably absorbed by the external force absorbing mechanism 30, similarly to the above-described case. In addition, in the external force absorbing mechanism 30 formed as a telescopic structure having a spring shape, it is desirable to appropriately arrange a spring depending on a use state of the rolling device. For example, an elastic force absorption direction is set to a direction perpendicular to the ball 15 and the raceway surface, so that the external force applied to the rolling body rolling surface 12 or the rolling body load rolling surface 14 serving as the raceway surface is suitably absorbed by the balls 15 serving as the rolling elements. Further, the telescopic structure according to the second embodiment is not limited to the spring shape, and the telescopic structure according to the invention may be formed in any shape as long as the same action and effect as that of the spring shape can be provided.Incidentally, in the prior art rolling device, even when the rolling device is used in a consumer product field that does not require a high-performance rolling device, the processing accuracy of the mounting surface of the rolling device may need to be high, the mounting error of the rolling device needs to be reduced to a minimum, or the rolling device needs to be mounted with careful attention. This creates a case in which the performance of the rolling device required for the use of the rolling device in this use application does not match the actual performance of the rolling device.With respect to the above-described problem, in the rolling device 200 according to the embodiment, the external force based on the mounting error and the like can be suitably absorbed by the external force absorbing mechanism 30, and the mounting accuracy can be secured even when the mounting surface or the mounting method of the rolling device 200 is rough. Accordingly, the moving block 13 is movable relative to the running rail 11. Thus, in the rolling device 200 according to the embodiment, the rolling device 200 can be used, for example, in fields of a consumer product, an aircraft, and an automobile in which the mounting surface or the mounting method of the rolling device 200 requires rough accuracy.As described above, a configuration example of the rolling device 200 according to the second embodiment has been described. Next, a configuration example of a rolling device 300 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an outer member according to the third embodiment. In addition, there is a case where the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components as those of the above-described embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.[Third Embodiment]The rolling device 300 according to the third embodiment includes a track rail 11 serving as an inner member having a track surface formed on its outer surface, a moving block 13 serving as an outer member having a track surface facing the track surface of the inner member and disposed outside the inner member, balls 15 serving as rolling bodies rollably disposed between both track surfaces, a space 10 formed inside at least one of the track rail 11 serving as the inner member and the moving block 13 serving as the outer member, and a lubricant supply mechanism 40 supplying lubricant to the balls 15 serving as the rolling bodies.The space 10 is formed in at least one of the track rail 11 serving as the inner member and the moving block 13 serving as the outer member, and is formed, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, inside the moving block 13 serving as the outer member. Then, the lubricant supply mechanism 40 supplying lubricant to the balls 15 serving as the rolling elements is formed in the space 10.The lubricant supply mechanism 40 according to the third embodiment includes a lubricant storage space 41 that stores lubricant and a small-diameter hole 43.The lubricant storage space 41 is a space that stores lubricant. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the lubricant storage space 41 may be disposed on the outside of a no-load rolling path 18 of the rolling bodies of the moving block 13 and inside the moving block 13 in the width direction. The volume of the lubricant storage space 41 is larger than the volume of the no-load rolling body rolling path 18.For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a lubricant replenishing hole 42 for replenishing the lubricant may be formed above the lubricant storage space 41. A user of the rolling device 300 according to the embodiment may replenish the lubricant through the lubricant replenishing hole 42 and close an opening of the lubricant replenishing hole 42 by, for example, a stopper 42 aor the like.The small diameter hole 43 is used to connect the lubricant storage space 41 and the no load rolling path 18 to each other. For example, a lubricant-containing body 45 such as a felt containing lubricant may be filled in the small-diameter hole 43.When the small diameter hole 43 is communicated with the lubricant storage space 41 containing the lubricant, the lubricant flows into the small diameter hole 43 by a capillary phenomenon, and the lubricant penetrates into the lubricant containing body 45 filled in the small diameter hole 43. Then, the lubricant entering the lubricant containing body 45 is supplied to the raceway surface or the balls 15 serving as the rolling elements rolling on the no-load rolling path 18. In the prior art rolling device, for example, lubricant is periodically supplied to the rolling device by means of a grease gun, or a lubricant means for supplying lubricant to the rolling body or the raceway surface is provided in the longitudinal direction thereof at the end of the moving block 13 to supply the lubricant to the rolling body or the raceway surface. Accordingly, an installation space is required for the grease gun or the lubricating device. This creates a case that the entire length of the moving block 13 increases.However, since the lubricant supply mechanism 40 is provided inside the moving block 13 in the rolling device 300 according to the third embodiment, the rolling device 300 according to the third embodiment can be reduced in weight and size, and the rolling device 300 does not need to be serviced for a long period of time.As described above, a configuration example of the rolling device 300 according to the third embodiment has been described. Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 18, a detailed example having characteristics of the rolling device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is an outer front view illustrating a rolling device according to the example. FIG. 8 is an outer side view illustrating the rolling device according to the example. FIG. 9 is an outer plan view illustrating the rolling device according to the example. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view illustrating the rolling device according to the example. FIG. 11 is an exploded diagram illustrating a state in which the rolling device of the example is disassembled. Further, FIGS. 12( a) to 12( d) are diagrams illustrating the appearance of a guide rail according to the example, wherein FIG. 12( a) illustrates an outer front view of the guide rail according to the example, FIG. 12( b) illustrates an outer side view of the guide rail according to the example, FIG. 12( c) illustrates an outer top view of the guide rail according to the example, and FIG. 12( d) illustrates an outer bottom view of the guide rail according to the example. FIG. 13 is an external perspective view illustrating the guide rail according to the example. FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a part of the guide rail according to the example. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 12( b). Further, FIGS. 16( a) to 16( d) are diagrams illustrating an appearance of a moving block according to the example, wherein FIG. 16( a) illustrates an outer front view of the moving block according to the example, FIG. 16( b) illustrates an outer side view of the moving block according to the example, FIG. 16( c) illustrates an outer top view of the moving block according to the example, and FIG. 16( d) illustrates an outer bottom view of the moving block according to the example. FIGS. 17( a) and 17( b) are perspective views illustrating the moving block according to the example, in which FIG. FIG. 17( a) is a top perspective view of the moving block according to the example, and FIG. 17( b) is a bottom perspective view of the moving block according to the example. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B of FIG. 16( b). In addition, there is a case where the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components as those of the above-described embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.[Example]First, an overall configuration example of a rolling device 400 according to the example will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. The rolling device 400 according to the example includes a track rail 11 serving as an inner member having a track surface on its outer surface, a moving block 13 serving as an outer member having a track surface facing the track surface of the inner member and disposed outside the inner member, and balls 15 serving as rolling bodies rollably disposed between both track surfaces.The track rail 11 is an elongated member having a substantially rectangular shape in cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and having its surface provided with a rolling body rolling surface 12 formed over the entire length of the track rail 11 to serve as a track surface on which the balls 15 roll. A pair of the rolling body rolling surfaces 12 according to the embodiment are provided on each of the left and right sides so that a total of two rolling body surfaces are provided. However, the number of the rolling body rolling surfaces may be arbitrarily changed in response to the application of the rolling device 400.The moving block 13 includes a moving block body 13 aas a member constituting the moving block 13, and a pair of lid parts 13 band 13 bprovided at both ends of the moving block body 13 ain the moving direction. In the moving block body 13 a, a rolling body load surface 14 serving as a raceway surface is formed at a position corresponding to the rolling body rolling surface 12 of the track rail 11, and a no-load rolling path 18 is provided which extends parallel to and with a predetermined gap from the rolling body load surface 14 so that the balls 15 serving as the rolling bodies roll thereon in a no-load state. The cover part 13 bis provided with a direction change path 19 that connects the rolling body load rolling path 17 and the no-load rolling path of the rolling bodies 18 to each other. Then, when the plurality of balls 15 are installed on an endless circulation path formed by the rolling body load rolling path 17, the no-load rolling path of the rolling bodies 18, and the pair of direction changing paths 19 and 19 to be endlessly circulated, the moving block 13 is reciprocally movable relative to the running rail 11.As described above, a configuration example of the rolling device 400 according to the example has been described. Next, the structures of the running rail 11 and the moving block 13 characteristic of the example will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 12(a) to 18.The rolling device 400 according to the example has a configuration in which a space 10 is formed inside the running rail 11 and the moving block 13. For example, in the rolling device 400 according to the example, as shown in FIGS. 12( a) to 18, the space 10 is formed inside the running rail 11 and the moving block 13, excluding the endless circulation path formed by the rolling body load rolling path 17 including the rolling body rolling surface 12 and the rolling body load rolling surface 14 on which the plurality of balls 15 roll, the no-load rolling path of the rolling bodies 18, and the pair of turning paths 19 and 19 connecting the two rolling paths to each other, the lid part 13 b, and the fixing screw portion 27 serving to fix the running rail 11 and the moving block 13, respectively.In addition, the space according to the invention need not be a closed space inside the inner member or the outer member, and may be a space opened to the outside as is apparent from the space 10 of the example of Figs. 12(a) to 18. That is, the space according to the invention is a space formed in at least one of the inner member and the outer member, and may be any one of a closed space and an open space.As shown in Figs. 12(a) to 18, a spatial strength holding mechanism 20 that holds the strength of the inner member or the outer member is formed within the space 10 formed in the running rail 11 and the moving block 13. In the rolling device 400 according to the example, the spatial strength holding mechanism 20 is formed in a truss structure. Then, the spatial strength holding mechanism 20 according to the example includes a diagonal member 21 arranged diagonally, a horizontal member 23 arranged horizontally, and a vertical member 25 arranged vertically.That is, as shown in FIGS. 12(a) to 15, the spatial strength holding mechanism 20 is formed in the running rail 11 by the combination of two diagonal members 21 combined in an X shape, a horizontal member 23 formed near an upper surface of the running rail 11, and a horizontal member 23 formed near a bottom surface of the running rail 11. Then, a force acting in a contact angle direction caused by the load of the moving block 13 on the balls 15 serving as rolling bodies can be dispersed by the diagonal members 21 and the horizontal members 23. Thus, in the running rail 11 according to the example, the running rail 11 can be reduced in weight and the strength of the running rail 11 can be maintained. As shown in Figs. 16 (a) to 18, the spatial strength holding mechanism 20 formed in the moving block 13 is obtained by the combination of the diagonal members 21 and the vertical members 25 as in the structure of the spatial strength holding mechanism 20 formed in the guide rail 11. In the moving block 13 according to the example, the strength of the moving block 13 can be secured while reducing the weight of the moving block 13.From the above description, it will be understood that in the rolling device 400 according to the example, a remarkable weight decrease can be realized while the function of the rolling device 400 is maintained. Thus, the amount of a material constituting the rolling device 400 can be reduced, and thus the rolling device 400 can be manufactured at a lower cost. Further, in the rolling device 400 according to the example, an increase in cost can be suppressed even when, for example, a titanium material, which is an expensive material, is used as a material constituting the rolling device 400. Further, the rolling device 400 according to the example, which is reduced in weight and which can be manufactured at a low cost, can be used in various fields, for example, an aircraft which needs to be reduced in weight or a consumer product which needs to be provided at a low cost.As apparent from the above, a configuration example of the rolling device 400 according to the example has been described. Next, a method of manufacturing a rolling device according to the embodiments and the example will be described.[Method of Manufacturing Rolling Devices]The rolling devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 according to the embodiments and the example may be manufactured by a 3D (three-dimensional) printer. The 3D printer is, for example, an apparatus that forms a three-dimensional structure by ejecting a powder of synthetic resin or plaster from a nozzle to laminate the powder or irradiate UV light on photocurable resin to cure the resin. According to the 3D printer, the three-dimensional structure can be shaped on the basis of 3D data.The rolling devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 according to the embodiments and the example may be manufactured by the 3D printer, for example, such that a powdery material constituting the rolling device is heated and melted and ejected from a nozzle to be laminated, or a powdery material constituting the rolling device is sintered by a laser or the like. As the forming material, for example, a metal material may be used.When the rolling devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 according to the embodiments and the example are manufactured by the 3D printer, the rolling device can be manufactured more easily with light weight as compared with the case where a cutting operation is performed on the rolling device.As is apparent from the above, a method for manufacturing the rolling devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 according to the embodiments and the example has been described.Next, application examples of the rolling devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 according to the embodiments and the example will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the embodiment of the rolling device which will be exemplified below does not limit the invention as defined in the claims. Further, it is difficult to mention that all combinations of characteristics described in the embodiment are essential as means for solving the invention. In addition, as described, "rolling device" includes, for example, all rolling and sliding devices including a rolling bearing used in a machine tool, an unmating bearing used in a vacuum state, a linear guide or linear guide device, a ball screw device, a roller screw device, a cross roller ring, and the like.[Other Application Examples of Rolling Device](Application Example of Ball Screws)The rolling devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 according to the embodiments and the example may be configured as, for example, a ball screw device 50 illustrated in FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a case where the rolling device according to the embodiment is configured as a ball screw. Such a ball screw 50 is a device including a screw 57 serving as an inner member and a nut member 59 serving as an outer member and relatively rotatably fixed to the screw 57 by the plurality of balls 58.The spindle 57 is an inner member having a rolling body groove 57 aserving as a spiral raceway surface formed on an outer circumferential surface, and the nut member 59 is an outer member having a load rolling groove serving as a spiral raceway surface formed on an inner circumferential surface corresponding to the rolling body groove 57 a. According to the relative rotation of the spindle 57 with respect to the nut member 59, the nut member 59 is reciprocally movable relative to the spindle 57.Thus, the space 10 may be formed in the spindle 57, the nut member 59, the ball 58, and the other members constituting the ball screw device 50, and the space strength holding mechanism 20, the external force absorbing mechanism 30, or the lubricant supply mechanism 40 may be formed therein. When the ball screw device 50 has the above-described configuration, the ball screw device 50 has excellent performance and light weight, for example, and, similarly to the above-described example, use in a wide field can be realized.(Application Example of Spline Device)Further, the rolling devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 according to the embodiments and the example may be configured as, for example, a spline device 60 illustrated in FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a case where the rolling device according to the embodiment is configured as a spline device.Herein, a configuration of the spline device 60 shown in FIG. 20 will be simply described. The spline device 60 includes a spline shaft 61 serving as an inner member and a cylindrical outer cylinder 63 serving as an outer member and is movably fixed to the spline shaft 61 by balls 62 serving as rolling bodies. One surface of the spline shaft 61 is provided with a rolling element rolling surface 61 aserving as a raceway surface extending in the axial direction of the spline shaft 61 so that the rolling element rolling surface 61 aconstitutes a raceway of the balls 62. The outer cylinder 63 fixed to the spline shaft 61 is provided with a rolling body load rolling surface serving as a raceway surface corresponding to the rolling body rolling surface 61a. The rolling body load rolling surface is provided with a plurality of protrusions (not illustrated) extending in the extending direction of the rolling body rolling surface 61 a. A load rolling path is formed between the rolling body load rolling surface formed in the outer cylinder 63 and the rolling body rolling surface 61 aformed on the spline shaft 61. A no-load return path for the no-load balls 62 is formed in the vicinity of the load rolling path. A cage 64 that arranges and holds the plurality of balls 62 in a cycle is mounted on the outer cylinder 63. Then, when the plurality of balls 62 are rollably disposed between the rolling body load rolling surface of the outer cylinder 63 and the rolling body rolling surface 61 aof the spline shaft 61 and installed to circulate endlessly via the no-load return path, the outer cylinder 63 is reciprocally movable relative to the spline shaft 61.Thus, even in the case of the spline device 60 shown in FIG. 20, the space 10 can be formed in the spline shaft 61, the outer cylinder 63, the ball 62, and the other members constituting the spline device 60, and the spatial strength holding mechanism 20, the external force absorbing mechanism 30, or the lubricant supply mechanism 40 can be formed therein. When the K spline device 60 has the above-described configuration, the spline device 60 has excellent performance and light weight, for example, and, similarly to the above-described example, use in a wide field can be realized.(Example of Use for Rotation Bearing)Further, the rolling devices 100, 200, 300 and 400 according to the embodiments and the example may be configured as, for example, a pivot bearing 70 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG. 21 is a perspective view partially cut in the longitudinal direction, exemplarily illustrating a case where the rolling device according to the embodiment is configured as a pivot bearing. FIG. 22 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotary bearing of FIG. 21.As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the rolling device configured as the rotary bearing 70 includes an inner race 71 serving as an inner member having an inner raceway surface 72 with a V-shaped cross section on an outer circumferential surface, an outer race 73 serving as an outer member or an inner member having an outer raceway surface 74 with a V-shaped cross section on an inner circumferential surface, and rollers 77 serving as a plurality of rolling bodies cross-sectionally arranged in a raceway 75 having a substantially rectangular cross section formed by the inner raceway surface 72 and the outer raceway surface 74. Accordingly, the inner race 71 and the outer race 73 rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction.For example, when the space 10 is formed in a member constituting the rotary bearing 70, and when the spatial strength holding mechanism 20, the external force absorbing mechanism 30, and the lubricant supply mechanism 40 are formed therein, the rotary bearing 70 has excellent performance and light weight, and, similarly to the above-described example, use in a wide field can be realized.(Application Examples of Sliding Shaft Device)In the above-described devices, a device in which the plurality of rolling bodies are arranged between the inner member and the outer member has been exemplified. However, the application example of the invention is characterized in that the space 10 is formed inside the inner member and the outer member, and that the spatial strength holding mechanism 20, the external force absorbing mechanism 30, or the lubricant supplying mechanism 40 is formed therein, it is not limited to the application example in which such a rolling body is used. The invention can be suitably used in an apparatus in which the inner member and the outer member are relatively movable while contacting each other directly without the rolling body.For example, as shown in Fig. 23, the invention can be applied to the rolling device formed as the sliding shaft device 80. FIG. 23 is an external perspective view illustrating a case where the rolling device according to the embodiment is configured as a sliding shaft device. The slide shaft device 80 of FIG. 23 includes a screw shaft 81 serving as an inner member provided with a lug groove serving as a spiral raceway surface on its outer circumferential surface, and a nut 83 serving as an outer member provided with a nut groove serving as a spiral raceway surface corresponding to the screw groove on an inner circumferential surface. Accordingly, the nut 83 is relatively movable relative to the screw shaft 81 according to the relative rotation of the screw shaft 81 with respect to the nut 83.Even in the sliding shaft device 80 shown in FIG. 23, the space 10 may be formed in one or both of the screw shaft 81 and the nut 83 serving as constituent members of the sliding shaft device, and the spatial strength holding mechanism 20, the external force absorbing mechanism 30, and the lubricant supply mechanism 40 may be formed therein. When the space 10 is formed in a member including the sliding shaft device 80 and when the spatial strength holding mechanism 20, the external force absorption mechanism 30, and the lubricant supply mechanism 40 is formed therein, the sliding shaft device 80 has excellent performance and light weight, for example, and it can be realized to be used in a wide field similarly to the above-described example.While the embodiments and the example of the invention have been described, the technical scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments. Various modifications or improvements of the embodiments and examples may be made.For example, the invention can also be applied to a rolling device 90 obtained by integrating a linear motion guide and a ball screw as illustrated in FIG. 24. In addition, in the case of the rolling device 90 shown in FIG. 24, the screw shaft 91 and the moving block 93 may be connected to each other by the plurality of balls 95, but the screw shaft 91 and the moving block 93 may be formed as a slide screw without using the plurality of balls 95.For example, if the required strength can be obtained even when the space 10 formed in the rolling device, the spatial strength holding mechanism 20 cannot be formed.Further, for example, in the above-described embodiments, one of the spatial strength holding mechanism 20, the external force absorbing mechanism 30, the lubricant supply mechanism 40 is provided, respectively, but a combination of the spatial strength holding mechanism 20, the external force absorbing mechanism 30, and the lubricant supply mechanism 40 may be used.Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the space 10 is formed inside the running rail 11 or the moving block 13. However, the space 10 may be formed inside the ball 15 and the space strength holding mechanism 20, the external force absorbing mechanism 30, or the lubricant supply mechanism 40.Further, in the above-described embodiment, the lubricant supply mechanism 40 is formed inside the moving block 13, but the lubricant supply mechanism 40 may be formed inside the running rail 11. With such a configuration, the lubricant can be supplied to the rolling body rolling surface 12 serving as the raceway surface or the balls 15 serving as the rolling body.Further, an example in which a 3D printer is used in the method for manufacturing a rolling device according to the embodiment and the example has been described, but the scope of the method of the invention is not limited to the manufacturing method using the 3D printer. For example, any manufacturing method may be used as long as the structure of the rolling device according to the above-described embodiments and the example can be realized.It is obvious that modifications or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the invention as described in the claims.REFERENCE NUMERALS100, 200, 300, 400 Rolling device, 10 space, 11 running rail, 11 aconsolidation portion, 11 bconsolidation portion, 12 rolling body load rolling surface, 13 moving block, 13 acover part, 14 rolling body load rolling surface, 15 ball, 17 rolling body load rolling path, 18 no load rolling body rolling path, 19 direction change path, 20 spatial strength holding mechanism, 21 diagonal member, 23 horizontal member, 25 vertical member, 27 fixing screw portion, 30 external force absorbing mechanism, 40 lubricant supplying mechanism, 41 lubricant reservoir, 42 lubricant replenishing hole, 42 astopper, 43 hole (small diameter), 45 lubricant containing body, 50 ball screw, 57 spindle, 57 aroll body rolling groove, 58 ball, 59 nut member, 60 spline device, 61 spline shaft, 61a rolling body rolling surface, 62 ball, 63 outer cylinder, 64 cage, 70 rotation bearing, 71 inner race, 72 inner race surface, 73 outer race, 74 outer race surface, 75 race, 77 roller, 80 sliding shaft device, 81 screw shaft, 83 nut, 90 rolling device, 91 screw shaft, 93 moving block, 95 ball

Claims

A 3d-printed rolling device (100, 200, 300, 400) comprising: an inner member having a raceway surface (12) on an outer surface thereof; an outer member having a raceway surface (14) facing the raceway surface of the inner member and disposed outside the inner member; and rolling bodies (15) rollably disposed between both raceway surfaces (12, 14), at least one of the inner member and the outer member having a space (10) formed therein, the space (10) being provided with a spatial strength holding mechanism (20) that holds the strength of the inner member or the outer member, wherein the spatial strength holding mechanism (20) is made of a single or a combination of a diagonal member (21) that is diagonally disposed, a horizontal member (23) that is horizontally disposed, or a vertical member (25) that is vertically disposed with respect to the horizontal plane when the inner member is placed on the horizontal plane; wherein at least one of the inner member and the outer members having the space (10) having the spatial strength holding mechanism (20) formed therein is manufactured as an integral part by a 3D printer.The rolling device according to claim 1, wherein the spatial strength holding mechanism (20) in the inner member is formed by the combination of two diagonal members (21) combined in an X shape, the horizontal member (23) formed near the upper surface of the inner member, and the horizontal member (23) formed near the lower surface of the inner member.The rolling device according to claim 1, wherein the spatial strength holding mechanism (20) in the outer member is formed by the combination of the diagonal member (21) and the vertical member (25).Method for producing a rolling device according to one of Claims 1 or 3 by a 3D printer.

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