Manufacturing apparatus of linear motion guide unit

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing apparatus of a linear motion guide unit capable of smoothly and efficiently inserting a rolling element into a raceway passage.SOLUTION: A manufacturing apparatus of a linear motion guide unit is for inserting a rolling element into a raceway passage of a linear motion guide unit of four rows. The linear motion guide unit includes a rail, a slider, a plurality of first rolling elements, and a plurality of second rolling elements. The manufacturing apparatus of the linear motion guide unit includes a slider holding section, a first rolling element storage section, a second rolling element storage section, a first rolling element supply pipe, a second rolling element supply pipe, a first rolling element inserting mechanism, and a second rolling element inserting mechanism. A first rolling element insertion direction of inserting the first rolling element is a direction along a rolling axis core direction of the first rolling element. The second rolling element inserting mechanism includes: a second rolling element guideway extending from an exhaust port of the second rolling element supply pipe to the second raceway passage; and a rod-like pushing member capable of reciprocating in the second rolling element guideway, and pushing the second rolling element into the second raceway passage so that a rolling surface of the second rolling element goes along a second lower raceway surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a linear motion guide unit manufacturing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A linear guide unit incorporating multiple rollers as rolling elements has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The linear guide unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a track rail having a first raceway surface, a slider including a casing having a second raceway surface, and multiple rollers that roll on the first raceway surface and the second raceway surface. The slider is provided so as to be slidable relative to the track rail. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-291932 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When manufacturing a linear guide unit, it is necessary to insert the rolling elements into the raceways. At this time, in a linear guide unit with four rows, i.e. a pair of upper raceways and a pair of lower raceways, it is required to insert the rolling elements into each raceway smoothly and efficiently.

[0005] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus capable of smoothly and efficiently inserting the rolling elements into each raceway. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A linear guide unit manufacturing device according to the present disclosure inserts rolling elements into raceways of a four-row linear guide unit. The linear guide unit includes a rail having a pair of first upper raceways and a pair of first lower raceways extending in the longitudinal direction, a slider attached to the rail so as to be movable relative to the rail and having a pair of second upper raceways facing the pair of first upper raceways and a pair of second lower raceways facing the pair of first lower raceways, a plurality of first rolling elements rolling on the first raceway composed of the first upper raceways and the second upper raceways, and a plurality of second rolling elements rolling on the second raceway composed of the first lower raceways and the second lower raceways. The linear motion guide unit manufacturing device includes a slider holding section which holds a slider, a first rolling element storage section which is arranged above the slider holding section and which stores a plurality of first rolling elements to be inserted into a first raceway, a second rolling element storage section which is arranged above the slider holding section and which stores a plurality of second rolling elements to be inserted into a second raceway, a first rolling element supply pipe extending from the first rolling element storage section through which the first rolling elements can pass one by one, and The slider includes a second rolling element supply pipe extending from the second rolling element storage portion through which a slider can pass, a first rolling element insertion mechanism that inserts the first rolling element from an outlet of the first rolling element supply pipe into the first raceway, a second rolling element insertion mechanism that inserts the second rolling element from an outlet of the second rolling element supply pipe into the second raceway, and a frame that holds the slider holder, the first rolling element storage portion, the second rolling element storage portion, the first rolling element supply pipe, the second rolling element supply pipe, the first rolling element insertion mechanism, and the second rolling element insertion mechanism. The first rolling element insertion direction in which the first rolling element is inserted is a direction along the rolling axis of the first rolling element. The second rolling element insertion mechanism includes a second rolling element guideway extending from the outlet of the second rolling element supply pipe to the second raceway, and a rod-shaped pushing member capable of reciprocating motion within the second rolling element guideway and pushing the second rolling element into the second raceway so that the rolling surface of the second rolling element is aligned with the second lower raceway surface. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus described above, the rolling elements can be smoothly and efficiently inserted into each raceway. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a linear motion guide unit manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the linear motion guide unit manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a linear motion guide unit manufactured by the linear motion guide unit manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a portion of the linear motion guide unit shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a roller is inserted into the first raceway. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a roller is inserted into the first raceway. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the rollers are inserted into the second raceway. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an insertion path when inserting the roller into the second raceway. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the attitude of the roller is inclined when the roller is inserted into the second raceway. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the roller is pushed into the second raceway. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Outline of the embodiment] The linear guide unit manufacturing device of the present disclosure inserts rolling elements into the raceways of a four-row linear guide unit. The linear guide unit includes a rail having a pair of first upper raceways and a pair of first lower raceways extending in the longitudinal direction, a slider attached to the rail so as to be movable relative to the rail and having a pair of second upper raceways facing the pair of first upper raceways and a pair of second lower raceways facing the pair of first lower raceways, a plurality of first rolling elements rolling on the first raceway composed of the first upper raceways and the second upper raceways, and a plurality of second rolling elements rolling on the second raceway composed of the first lower raceways and the second lower raceways. The linear motion guide unit manufacturing device includes a slider holding section which holds a slider, a first rolling element storage section which is arranged above the slider holding section and which stores a plurality of first rolling elements to be inserted into a first raceway, a second rolling element storage section which is arranged above the slider holding section and which stores a plurality of second rolling elements to be inserted into a second raceway, a first rolling element supply pipe extending from the first rolling element storage section through which the first rolling elements can pass one by one, and The slider includes a second rolling element supply pipe extending from the second rolling element storage portion through which a slider can pass, a first rolling element insertion mechanism that inserts the first rolling element from an outlet of the first rolling element supply pipe into the first raceway, a second rolling element insertion mechanism that inserts the second rolling element from an outlet of the second rolling element supply pipe into the second raceway, and a frame that holds the slider holder, the first rolling element storage portion, the second rolling element storage portion, the first rolling element supply pipe, the second rolling element supply pipe, the first rolling element insertion mechanism, and the second rolling element insertion mechanism. The first rolling element insertion direction in which the first rolling element is inserted is a direction along the rolling axis of the first rolling element. The second rolling element insertion mechanism includes a second rolling element guideway extending from the outlet of the second rolling element supply pipe to the second raceway, and a rod-shaped pushing member capable of reciprocating motion within the second rolling element guideway and pushing the second rolling element into the second raceway so that the rolling surface of the second rolling element is aligned with the second lower raceway surface.

[0010] According to the linear guide unit manufacturing device of the present disclosure, the first rolling element insertion direction is a direction along the rolling axis direction of the first rolling element. Then, the first rolling element can be smoothly inserted into the first raceway by passing through the first rolling element supply pipe from the first rolling element storage section. In this case, since the first rolling elements can pass through one by one, a plurality of first rolling elements can be inserted into the first raceway while adjusting the posture of the rolling elements appropriately. Also, the second rolling element passes through the second rolling element supply pipe from the second rolling element storage section and is supplied into the second rolling element guideway. Then, the second rolling element can be inserted into the second raceway one by one by the pushing member so as to follow the second lower raceway surface. Then, the second rolling element can be appropriately inserted into the second raceway. Therefore, the second rolling element can be smoothly inserted into the second raceway. In this case, the first rolling element and the second rolling element can be inserted simultaneously, which saves time and enables efficient insertion of the rolling elements. As described above, according to the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus, the rolling elements can be smoothly and efficiently inserted into each raceway.

[0011] In the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus, each of the first rolling elements may move toward the first raceway by its own weight. In this way, a special power for pushing the first rolling elements when inserting them is not required, and therefore the apparatus can be constructed more inexpensively.

[0012] In the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus, the first rolling element insertion mechanism may include a piece member that can be arranged on an extension of the outlet of the first rolling element supply pipe in the first raceway and that can reciprocate along the first raceway. By doing so, the piece member can be reciprocated to insert the first rolling elements alternately to the front and rear of the first raceway. Therefore, the first rolling elements can be inserted into the first raceway more smoothly.

[0013] In the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus, the side wall surface of the piece member may be an arc shape along the rolling surface of the first rolling body when viewed from the rolling axis direction of the first rolling body. This allows the piece member to more smoothly distribute the first rolling body in the first raceway. Therefore, the first rolling body can be inserted into the first raceway more smoothly.

[0014] In the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus, each of the second rolling elements may move toward the second rolling element guideway by its own weight. In this way, a special power for pushing the second rolling elements when inserting them is not required, and therefore the apparatus can be constructed more inexpensively.

[0015] In the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus, the second rolling element guideway may be inclined with respect to the second raceway when viewed in the vertical direction. This allows the second rolling elements to be smoothly inserted in one direction in the second raceway. This makes it easier to avoid the second rolling elements already inserted from interfering with the second rolling elements to be inserted next. Therefore, the second rolling elements can be inserted more smoothly.

[0016] In the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus, the tip of the pushing member may have an end face inclined along the second lower raceway surface, and may be provided with a recess for receiving the second rolling element. This allows the second rolling element to be inserted into the second raceway while being more reliably inclined at a desired angle. This reduces the risk of the second rolling element being inclined at an undesired angle in the second rolling element guideway. Therefore, the second rolling element can be inserted more efficiently.

[0017] In the linear guide unit manufacturing device, the slider holding portion may be variable in at least one of the vertical and horizontal positions. In this way, the slider can be held at different vertical and horizontal positions for linear guide units of different sizes and types. This makes it possible to provide a higher level of versatility.

[0018] [Specific Example of the Embodiment] Next, an example of a specific embodiment of the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0019] (Embodiment 1) First, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus shown in Fig. 1. In Figs. 1 and 2, the vertical direction is shown in the direction opposite to the arrow Z, the X direction shows the depth direction of the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus, and the Y direction shows the width direction of the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus.

[0020] 1 and 2, the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus 10a of the present disclosure is used when inserting rolling elements into raceways in manufacturing a four-row linear guide unit. The linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus 10a includes a frame 11a, a slider holding section 12a, a first rolling element storage section 13a, a second rolling element storage section 14a, a first rolling element supply pipe 15a, a second rolling element supply pipe 16a, a first rolling element insertion mechanism 17a, and a second rolling element insertion mechanism 18a. The frame 11a holds each of the members constituting the linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus 10a, namely, the slider holding portion 12a, the first rolling element storage portion 13a, the second rolling element storage portion 14a, the first rolling element supply pipe 15a, the second rolling element supply pipe 16a, the first rolling element insertion mechanism 17a, and the second rolling element insertion mechanism 18a. In this embodiment, rollers are used as the rolling elements.

[0021] Here, an example of a linear guide unit manufactured by the linear guide unit manufacturing device 10a will be briefly described. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a linear guide unit manufactured by the linear guide unit manufacturing device 10a. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of the linear guide unit shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view including a casing 25a described later, cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the L direction indicates the longitudinal direction, the W direction indicates the lateral direction, and the T direction indicates the thickness direction.

[0022] 3 and 4, the linear guide unit 20a includes a rail 21a, which is a track rail, a slider 22a, a plurality of rollers 23a and 23b as first rolling bodies, and a plurality of rollers 24a and 24b as second rolling bodies. The rollers 23a, 23b, 24a, and 24b all have the same shape. The rail 21a is configured to extend straight in the longitudinal direction. The linear guide unit 20a is a so-called four-row linear guide unit.

[0023] The rail 21a includes a pair of first upper raceway surfaces 31a, 31b and a pair of first lower raceway surfaces 32a, 32b extending in the longitudinal direction. The slider 22a is attached to the rail 21a so as to be movable relative to the rail 21a. The slider 22a includes a pair of second upper raceway surfaces 33a, 33b facing the pair of first upper raceway surfaces 31a, 31b, respectively, and a pair of second lower raceway surfaces 34a, 34b facing the pair of first lower raceway surfaces 32a, 32b, respectively.

[0024] The roller 23a as the first rolling element rolls on the first raceway 35a consisting of the first upper raceway surface 31a and the second upper raceway surface 33a. The roller 23b as the first rolling element rolls on the first raceway 35b consisting of the first upper raceway surface 31b and the second upper raceway surface 33b. The roller 24a as the second rolling element rolls on the second raceway 36a consisting of the first lower raceway surface 32a and the second lower raceway surface 34a. The roller 24b as the second rolling element rolls on the second raceway 36b consisting of the first lower raceway surface 32b and the second lower raceway surface 34b.

[0025] The slider 22a includes a casing 25a, a pair of end caps 26a and 26b, a pair of end seals 27a and 27b, and holding members 28a and 28b that hold the rollers 23a, 23b, 24a, and 24b on the casing 25a.

[0026] The holding member 28a includes a holding plate 29a and a holding band 30a. The holding plate 29a includes a second guide surface that contacts second end faces located on the other side of the rollers 23a, 23b to guide the rollers 23a, 23b. The holding plate 29a also includes a groove that is recessed to accommodate the holding band 30a. Like the holding member 28a, the holding member 28b also includes a holding plate 29b and a holding band 30b. The configuration of the holding plate 29b is also similar to the configuration of the holding plate 29a.

[0027] The casing 25a is provided with first circulation paths 37a, 37b and second circulation paths 38a, 38b, which are parallel to the first raceways 35a, 35b and the second raceways 36a, 36b, respectively. The first circulation paths 37a, 37b and the second circulation paths 38a, 38b are also called return paths. A hollow cylindrical sleeve 39a formed by combining a first divided member and a second divided member is disposed in the first circulation path 37a. A plurality of rollers 23a move in the sleeve 39a. Similarly, a hollow cylindrical sleeve 39b formed by combining a first divided member and a second divided member is disposed in the first circulation path 37b. A hollow cylindrical sleeve 40a formed by combining a first divided member and a second divided member is disposed in the second circulation path 38a. A hollow cylindrical sleeve 40b formed by combining a first divided member and a second divided member is disposed in the second circulation path 38b.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the linear guide unit manufacturing device 10a will be further described. The slider holding portion 12a can mount the slider 22a described above. Here, the slider 22a to be mounted is in a state in which a pair of end caps 26a, 26b are mounted on the casing 25a. That is, the slider 22a is mounted in a state in which a pair of end seals 27a, 27b and holding members 28a, 28b are not mounted. In this case, the slider 22a is mounted so that one second upper raceway surface 33a and one second lower raceway surface 34a are vertically downward, and the other second upper raceway surface 33b and the other second lower raceway surface 34b are vertically upward. Specifically, the slider 22a is mounted so that the Z direction and the W direction coincide with each other, and the X direction and the T direction coincide with each other. In this embodiment, a case in which rolling elements are inserted into the first raceway 35a and the second raceway 36a will be described.

[0029] The slider holding portion 12a is variable in vertical and horizontal positions. The slider holding portion 12a includes a first position adjustment mechanism 19a that adjusts the vertical position and a second position adjustment mechanism 19b that adjusts the horizontal position. This allows the slider 22a to be held by changing the vertical and horizontal positions of the slider 22a.

[0030] The first rolling element storage section 13a and the second rolling element storage section 14a are attached in a line to the upper part of the frame body 11a. The first rolling element storage section 13a and the second rolling element storage section 14a are disposed on the upper side of the slider holding section 12a. The first rolling element storage section 13a stores a plurality of rollers 23a and 23b as a plurality of first rolling elements used in the linear guide unit 20a. The second rolling element storage section 14a stores a plurality of rollers 24a and 24b as a plurality of second rolling elements used in the linear guide unit 20a. Since the rollers 23a, 23b, 24a, and 24b have the same shape, rollers of the same shape are stored in the first rolling element storage section 13a and the second rolling element storage section 14a, respectively.

[0031] The first rolling element supply pipe 15a is made of a tubular member through which the rollers 23a and 23b can pass one by one. The first rolling element supply pipe 15a extends from the first rolling element storage section 13a to the first raceway 35a. The first rolling element supply pipe 15a extends vertically straight from the first rolling element storage section 13a, then inclines 45 degrees to reach the first raceway 35a. The first rolling element insertion direction for inserting the rollers 23a is a direction along the rolling axis of the rollers 23a. The rollers 23a move toward the first raceway 35a by their own weight.

[0032] Like the first rolling element supply pipe 15a, the second rolling element supply pipe 16a is made of a tubular member through which the rollers 24a can pass one by one. The second rolling element supply pipe 16a extends from the second rolling element storage section 14a to a second rolling element guideway 61a (described later). The second rolling element supply pipe 16a extends vertically straight from the second rolling element storage section 14a and then reaches the second rolling element guideway 61a. The rollers 24a move toward the second rolling element guideway 61a due to their own weight.

[0033] The first rolling element insertion mechanism 17a inserts the roller 23a into the first raceway from the outlet of the first rolling element supply pipe 15a. Figures 5 and 6 are schematic perspective views showing the state in which the roller 23a is inserted into the first raceway 35a. Figure 6 corresponds to a view seen from the direction of the rolling axis of the roller 23a.

[0034] 5 and 6, the first rolling element insertion mechanism 17a inserts the roller 23a, which has moved by its own weight, into the first raceway 35a. The first rolling element insertion mechanism 17a includes a piece member 41a. The piece member 41a can be arranged on an extension of the outlet of the first rolling element supply pipe 15a in the first raceway 35a. The piece member 41a can reciprocate along the first raceway 35a. The reciprocating motion of the piece member 41a is achieved by driving a first raceway roller pushing device 42a included in the first rolling element insertion mechanism 17a. The side wall surfaces 43a and 44a of the piece member 41a are arc-shaped along the rolling surface of the roller 23a when viewed from the rolling axis direction of the roller 23a. A protrusion 45a appears between the side wall surfaces 43a and 44a.

[0035] Here, the method of inserting the roller 23a will be described. The roller 23a, which has moved in the first rolling element supply pipe 15a by its own weight, reaches the first raceway 35a. Here, the end face of the roller 23a comes into contact with the convex portion 45a of the piece member 41a, and the roller 23a is stopped. Then, when the piece member 41a moves in the direction of the arrow D1 or in the opposite direction indicated by the arrow D2, the contact state with the convex portion 45a is released, and the roller 23a is inserted into the first raceway 35a. After that, the roller 23a is pushed by the side wall surface 43a or the side wall surface 44a by the movement of the piece member 41a, and moves in the first raceway 35a. In accordance with this reciprocating motion of the piece member 41a, the roller 23a is alternately inserted into the first raceway 35a. In this way, the roller 23a is inserted into the first raceway 35a and filled.

[0036] Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the state where the roller 24a is inserted into the second raceway 36a. Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing an insertion path when the roller 24a is inserted into the second raceway 36a. Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing the state where the attitude of the roller 24a is tilted when the roller 24a is inserted into the second raceway 36a. Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing the state where the roller 24a is pushed into the second raceway 36a.

[0037] 7, 8, 9, and 10, the second rolling element insertion mechanism 18a includes a second rolling element guideway 61a and a pushing member 62a. The second rolling element guideway 61a extends from the outlet of the second rolling element supply pipe 16a to the second raceway 36a. When viewed in the vertical direction, the second rolling element guideway 61a is inclined with respect to the second raceway 36a (see FIG. 8 in particular). In this embodiment, the angle of inclination is 45 degrees.

[0038] The pushing member 62a is rod-shaped and can reciprocate in the second rolling element guideway 61a. The pushing member 62a pushes the roller 24a into the second raceway 36a in the direction indicated by the arrow D3 so that the rolling surface of the roller 24a is aligned with the second lower raceway surface 34a. In this embodiment, the roller 24a is pushed into the second raceway 36a while being tilted. The tip of the pushing member 62a has an end face that is tilted along the second lower raceway surface 34a, and a recess 63a that receives the roller 24a is provided.

[0039] Here, the method of inserting the roller 24a will be described. The roller 24a, which has moved in the second rolling element supply pipe 16a by its own weight, reaches the second rolling element guideway 61a. Then, the roller 24a is pushed toward the second raceway 36a by the pushing member 62a. After reaching the second raceway 36a, the roller 24a is tilted so that the rolling surface of the roller 24a is along the second raceway surface. In this way, the roller 24a is pushed by the pushing member 62a. Then, the pushing member 62a is pulled back to the outlet of the second rolling element supply pipe 16a. Then, the next roller 24a falls by its own weight. Then, the pushing member 62a is pushed forward in the same way, and the next roller 24a is tilted and inserted into the second raceway 36a. This is continued until the number of rollers 24a specified for the linear motion guide unit 20a is reached. In this way, the roller 24a is inserted.

[0040] After the specified number of rollers 23a, 24a are inserted, the mounting angle of the slider 22a is changed, and the specified number of rollers 23b, 24b are inserted. Thereafter, the holding members 28a, 28b, the end seals 27a, 27b, and the rail 21a are attached to manufacture the linear motion guide unit 20a.

[0041] According to the linear motion guide unit manufacturing device 10a, the first rolling element insertion direction is a direction along the rolling axis direction of the roller 23a. Then, the roller 23a can be smoothly inserted into the first raceway 35a by passing through the first rolling element supply pipe 15a from the first rolling element storage portion 13a. In this case, since the rollers 23a can pass one by one, a plurality of rollers 23a can be inserted into the first raceway 35a while adjusting the posture of the roller 23a appropriately. In addition, the roller 24a passes through the second rolling element supply pipe 16a from the second rolling element storage portion 14a and is supplied into the second rolling element guideway 61a. Then, the rollers 24a can be inserted into the second raceway 36a one by one by the pushing member 62a so as to follow the second lower raceway surface 34a. Then, the rollers 24a can be properly inserted into the second raceway 36a. Therefore, the rollers 24a can be smoothly inserted into the second raceway 36a. In this case, the rollers 23a and 24a can be inserted at the same time, which saves time and enables efficient insertion of the rollers 23a, 24a. As described above, according to the linear motion guide unit manufacturing apparatus 10a, the rollers 23a, 24a can be smoothly and efficiently inserted into the raceways 35a, 36a.

[0042] In this embodiment, each of the rollers 23a moves toward the first raceway 35a by its own weight. Therefore, no special power is required to push the rollers 23a when inserting them, and therefore the device can be constructed more inexpensively.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first rolling element insertion mechanism 17a can be disposed on an extension of the discharge port of the first rolling element supply pipe 15a in the first raceway 35a and includes a piece member 41a that can reciprocate along the first raceway 35a. Therefore, by reciprocating the piece member 41a, the rollers 23a can be inserted by being alternately distributed to the front and rear in the first raceway 35a. Therefore, the rollers 23a can be inserted into the first raceway 35a more smoothly.

[0044] In this embodiment, the side wall surfaces 43a, 44a of the piece member 41a in the direction in which the first raceway 35a extends are arc-shaped along the rolling surface of the roller 23a when viewed from the rolling axis direction of the roller 23a. This allows the roller 23a to be more smoothly distributed in the first raceway 35a by the piece member 41a. This allows the roller 23a to be more smoothly inserted into the first raceway 35a.

[0045] In this embodiment, each of the rollers 24a moves toward the second rolling element guideway 61a due to its own weight. Therefore, a special power for pushing the rollers 24a when inserting them is not required, and therefore the configuration can be made more inexpensively.

[0046] In this embodiment, the second rolling element guideway 61a is inclined with respect to the second raceway 36a when viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, the rollers 24a can be smoothly inserted in one direction in the second raceway 36a. This makes it easier to avoid the already inserted rollers 24a from interfering with the next roller 24a to be inserted. Therefore, the rollers 24a can be inserted more smoothly.

[0047] In this embodiment, the tip of the pushing member 62a has an end surface that is inclined along the second lower raceway surface 34a, and a recess 63a that receives the second rolling element is provided. Therefore, the roller 24a can be inserted into the second raceway 36a while being inclined at a desired angle more reliably. This reduces the risk that the roller 24a will be inclined at an undesired angle in the second rolling element guideway 61a. Therefore, the roller 24a can be inserted more efficiently.

[0048] In this embodiment, the slider holding portion 12a is variable in vertical and horizontal positions. Therefore, even in linear motion guide units 20a of different sizes and types, the slider 22a can be held at different vertical and horizontal positions. Therefore, it is possible to provide a more versatile device.

[0049] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, the slider holding portion may be variable in at least one of the vertical and horizontal positions. In this way, the slider can be held at different vertical and horizontal positions even for linear motion guide units of different sizes and types. This makes it possible to provide greater versatility.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, rollers are used as the rolling elements, but the present invention is not limited to this, and balls may be used as the rolling elements.

[0051] It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive in any respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10a linear motion guide unit manufacturing device, 11a frame, 12a slider holding portion, 13a first rolling element storage portion, 14a second rolling element storage portion, 15a first rolling element supply pipe, 16a second rolling element supply pipe, 17a first rolling element insertion mechanism, 18a second rolling element insertion mechanism, 19a first position adjustment mechanism, 19b second position adjustment mechanism, 20a linear motion guide unit, 21a rail, 22a slider, 23a, 23b roller (first rolling element), 24a, 24b roller (second rolling element), 25a casing, 26a, 26b end cap, 27a, 27b end seal, 28a, 28b holding member, 29a, 29b holding plate, 30a, 30b holding band, 31a, 31b First upper raceway, 32a, 32b first lower raceway, 33a, 33b second upper raceway, 34a, 34b second lower raceway, 35a, 35b first raceway, 36a, 36b second raceway, 37a, 37b first circulation path, 38a, 38b second circulation path, 39a, 39b, 40a, 40b sleeve, 41a link member, 42a roller pushing device for first raceway, 43a, 44a side wall surface, 45a convex portion, 61a second rolling body guideway, 62a pushing member, 63a concave portion.

Claims

1. A linear motion guide unit manufacturing apparatus for inserting rolling elements into raceways of a four-row linear motion guide unit, comprising: The linear motion guide unit is a rail having a pair of first upper raceway surfaces and a pair of first lower raceway surfaces extending in a longitudinal direction; a slider attached to the rail so as to be relatively movable, the slider having a pair of second upper raceway surfaces opposed to the pair of first upper raceway surfaces and a pair of second lower raceway surfaces opposed to the pair of first lower raceway surfaces; a plurality of first rolling elements that roll on a first raceway that is constituted by the first upper raceway surface and the second upper raceway surface; a plurality of second rolling elements that roll on a second raceway defined by the first lower raceway surface and the second lower raceway surface; The linear motion guide unit manufacturing apparatus includes: a slider holding portion that holds the slider; a first rolling element storage portion disposed above the slider holding portion and configured to store the first rolling elements to be inserted into the first raceway; a second rolling element storage portion disposed above the slider holding portion and configured to store the second rolling elements to be inserted into the second raceway; a first rolling element supply pipe through which the first rolling elements can pass one by one and which extends from the first rolling element storage portion; a second rolling element supply pipe extending from the second rolling element storage section through which the second rolling elements can pass one by one; a first rolling element insertion mechanism that inserts the first rolling elements from a discharge port of the first rolling element supply pipe into the first raceway; a second rolling element insertion mechanism that inserts the second rolling elements from a discharge port of the second rolling element supply pipe into the second raceway; a frame body that holds the slider holding portion, the first rolling element storage portion, the second rolling element storage portion, the first rolling element supply pipe, the second rolling element supply pipe, the first rolling element insertion mechanism, and the second rolling element insertion mechanism, a first rolling element insertion direction in which the first rolling element is inserted is a direction along a rolling axis direction of the first rolling element, The second rolling element insertion mechanism includes: a second rolling element guideway extending from an outlet of the second rolling element supply pipe to the second raceway; a pushing member that is rod-shaped, capable of reciprocating motion within the second rolling element guideway, and that pushes the second rolling element into the second raceway so that the rolling surface of the second rolling element is aligned with the second lower raceway surface.

2. 2. The linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of first rolling elements moves toward said first raceway due to its own weight.

3. 3. The linear guide unit manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein the first rolling element insertion mechanism includes a top member that can be disposed on an extension of an outlet of the first rolling element supply pipe within the first raceway and that can reciprocate along the first raceway.

4. 4. The linear motion guide unit manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the side wall surface of the piece member is arcuate in shape along the rolling surface of the first rolling element when viewed from the direction of the rolling axis of the first rolling element.

5. 3. The linear motion guide unit manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of second rolling elements moves toward said second rolling element guideway due to its own weight.

6. 3. The linear motion guide unit manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second rolling element guideway is inclined with respect to said second raceway when viewed in the vertical direction.

7. 3. The linear guide unit manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a tip end of said pushing member has an end face inclined along said second lower raceway surface and is provided with a recess for receiving said second rolling element.

8. 3. The linear motion guide unit manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a vertical position and a horizontal position of said slider holding portion is variable.

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