Curve guide

Abstract

To provide a curve guide for circulating a rolling element smoothly.SOLUTION: A curve guide comprises: an arc-shaped rail; a block capable of moving relative to the rail; and a plurality of rolling elements arranged in a circulation path including a rolling path (13a) between a rolling part of the rail and a rolling part of the block, a return path, and a turning path (10a) connected to the rolling path (13a) and the return path. The turning path (10a) is curved starting from a center of curvature (O) of the arc-shaped rolling path (13a).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a curve guide in which a block moves along an arcuate rail.

Background Art

[0002] A curve guide is used to guide the circular motion of a movable body such as a table (see Patent Document 1). The curve guide includes an arcuate rail and a block that can move relative to the rail. A rolling path between the rolling part of the rail and the rolling part of the block, a return path, and a turn path connected to the rolling path and the return path constitute a circulation path for the rolling elements. A plurality of rolling elements are arranged in the circulation path. When the block moves relative to the rail, the rolling elements move while rolling along the rolling path. The rolling elements that have moved along the rolling path enter the turn path, move along the return path on the opposite side of the rolling path, and enter the rolling path again from the other turn path.

[0003] In a conventional curve guide, the rail is arcuate. The rolling path is arcuate along the arcuate rail. The return path is arcuate or linear. A turn path of a linear guide is applied to the turn path, and the turn path is semi-circular.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In order for the rolling elements to circulate smoothly in the curved guide, it is necessary to smoothly connect the arc-shaped rolling path and the turning path with a tangent line. However, when applying the turning path of a linear guide to a curved guide as in a conventional curved guide and smoothly connecting the arc-shaped rolling path and the semi-circular turning path with a tangent line, since the rail is curved in an arc shape, the turning path becomes narrow on the inner peripheral side of the curved guide, making it difficult for the rolling elements to pass through, and on the outer peripheral side of the curved guide, the turning path becomes wide, making it easy for the rolling elements to meander.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a curved guide in which rolling elements circulate smoothly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a curved guide including an arc-shaped rail, a block relatively movable with respect to the rail, a rolling path between the rolling part of the rail and the rolling part of the block, a return path, and a plurality of rolling elements arranged in a circulation path including a turning path connected to the rolling path and the return path, wherein the turning path is curved starting from the center of curvature of the arc-shaped rolling path.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the turning path from becoming narrow on the inner peripheral side of the curved guide and from becoming wide on the outer peripheral side of the curved guide. Therefore, the rolling elements circulate smoothly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, based on the accompanying drawings, the curved guide of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the curved guide of the present invention can be embodied in various forms and is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. This embodiment is provided with the intention of enabling those skilled in the art to fully understand the invention by sufficiently disclosing the specification. (Curved Guide)

[0011] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the curved guide 1 of this embodiment is an R guide including an arc-shaped rail 2 and a block 4 that can move relative to the rail 2. The block 4 moves in an arc along the arc-shaped rail 2. The block 4 is fan-shaped. In a plan view, the extension line of the end face 4d of the block 4 passes through the center of curvature of the rail 2. A movable body such as a table to be guided is attached to the block 4.

[0012] Reference numeral 13 denotes a rolling path, reference numeral 9 denotes a return path, and reference numeral 10 denotes a turning path. The rolling path 13 is formed between the rolling part 7 of the rail 2 and the rolling part 8 of the block 4 (see also Fig. 3). The rolling path 13, the return path 9, and the turning path 10 constitute a circulation path 5. There are an inner peripheral side circulation path 5 and an outer peripheral side circulation path 5 in the circulation path 5. The number of the circulation paths 5 is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 2, 4, etc. A plurality of balls are arranged as rolling elements 3 in the circulation path 5. When the block 4 moves relative to the rail 2, the rolling element 3 moves while rolling on the rolling path 13. The rolling element 3 that has moved on the rolling path 13 enters the turning path 10, moves on the return path 9 to the side opposite to the rolling path 13, and enters the rolling path 13 again from the other turning path 10. The dashed-dotted line in Fig. 1 represents the orbits (rolling element center orbits) 13a, 9a, 10a of the rolling path 13, the return path 9, and the turning path 10, respectively.

[0013] The rolling path 13 is arc-shaped. As shown in Fig. 6, in the plan view of the curve guide 1, the center of curvature O of the rolling path 13 is substantially the same as the center of curvature O of the rail 2 (see Fig. 6). The return path 9 is arc-shaped. In the plan view of the curve guide 1, the return path 9 is concentric with the rolling path 13, and the center of curvature O of the return path 9 is substantially the same as the center of curvature O of the rolling path 13. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the turning path 10 has a three-dimensional shape like a U-shaped curve. Reference numeral A indicates the start point of the turn of the turning path 10, and reference numeral C indicates the end point of the turn of the turning path 10. As shown in Fig. 6, in the plan view of the curve guide 1, the center of curvature O of the orbit 10a of the turning path 10 at the turn start point A is inside the circles D, D' obtained by extending the orbit 13a of the arc-shaped rolling path 13 (see Fig. 6). The turning path 10 will be described later.

[0014] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rail 2 extends in an arc shape. The rail 2 has an upper surface 2a, a pair of left and right side surfaces 2b, and a bottom surface 2c. Inner peripheral side rolling parts 7 and outer peripheral side rolling parts 7 extending in the longitudinal direction are formed on the side surface 2b of the rail 2. The rolling part 7 is groove-shaped (rolling groove), and the cross-sectional shape of the rolling part 7 is a Gothic arch or a circular arc. A plurality of mounting holes 6 for mounting the rail 2 based thereon are formed on the upper surface 2a of the rail 2.

[0015] Block 4 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section and is arranged to straddle the rail 2. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the block 4 has a web portion 4a facing the upper surface 2a of the rail 2, and a pair of sleeve portions 4b hanging down from both ends in the left-right direction of the web portion 4a and facing the side surface 2b of the rail 2. The block 4 is a single structure.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3(a), a rolling portion 8, a return portion 19, and a turning portion 20 are formed on the inner peripheral side of the block 4. As shown in FIG. 3(b), a rolling portion 8, a return portion 19, and a turning portion 20 are also formed on the outer peripheral side of the block 4. The rolling portion 8 is formed on the sleeve portion 4b of the block 4. The rolling portion 8 is in a groove shape (rolling groove), and the cross-sectional shape of the rolling portion 8 is a Gothic arch or a circular arc. The rolling portion 8 faces the rolling portion 7 of the rail 2. A rolling element 3 is sandwiched between the rolling portion 7 and the rolling portion 8. When the block 4 moves relative to the rail 2, the rolling element 3 rolls along the rolling path 13 between the rolling portion 7 and the rolling portion 8.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the return portion 19 is formed on the web portion 4a of the block 4. The return portion 19 is in a groove shape that opens toward the rail 2. A return path 9 is formed between the return portion 19 and the rail 2. In the return path 9, there is a slight gap between the rolling element 3 and the wall surface of the return path 9. The rolling element 3 moves along the return path 9 while being pushed by the subsequent rolling element 3. Note that the return portion 19 may be in a tunnel shape so that the block 4 alone can form the return path 9, or the return portion 19 may be closed with a lid (not shown), and the return path 9 may be formed by the return portion 19 and the lid (not shown).

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the turning portion 20 is formed so as to straddle the sleeve portion 4b and the web portion 4a of the block 4. The turning portion 20 is in a groove shape that opens toward the rail 2. A turning path 10 is formed between the turning portion 20 and the rail 2. In the side view shown in FIG. 2(b), the upper part of the turning path 10 protrudes most in the longitudinal direction. In the front view shown in FIG. 2(c), the turning path 10 has a substantially J shape formed by combining an arc along the side surface of the rail 2 and a straight line along the upper surface of the rail 2.

[0019] On the rolling path 13 side of the turning path 10, the rolling element 3 is sandwiched between the turning portion 20 and the rail 2. On the return path 9 side of the turning path 10, there is a slight gap between the rolling element 3 and the wall surface of the turning path 10. When the block 4 moves relative to the rail 2, on the rolling path 13 side of the turning path 10, the rolling element 3 rolls between the turning portion 20 and the rail 2, and on the return path 9 side of the turning path 10, the rolling element 3 moves along the turning path 10 while being pushed by the subsequent rolling element 3. Incidentally, the turning portion 20 may be formed in a tunnel shape so that the block 4 alone constitutes the turning path 10, or a part of the turning portion 20 may be closed with a lid (not shown), and a part of the turning portion 20 and the lid (not shown) may constitute a part of the turning path 10.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the rolling portion 8, the return portion 19, and the turning portion 20 of the block 4 are seamlessly formed on the block 4 using a cutting tool such as an end mill. In the above embodiment, the rolling portion 8, the return portion 19, and the turning portion 20 are formed on the single-structured block 4. However, the block 4 may be composed of a block body and an end plate attached to the end surface of the block body, the rolling portion 8 and the return path 9 may be formed on the block body, and the turning path 10 may be formed on the end plate. (The orbit of the turning path of the curved guide (F X ´, F Y ´, F Z ´))

[0021] The turning path 10 of the curved guide 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the longitudinal direction of the rail 2, that is, the moving direction of the block 4 is defined as the Y-axis, the height direction is defined as the Z-axis, and the horizontal direction (the normal direction of the rail 2) is defined as the X-axis.

[0022] In order for the rolling elements 3 to circulate smoothly, it is necessary to smoothly connect the arc-shaped rolling path 13 and the turning path 10 with a tangent line. In the conventional curved guide, the orbit 40a of the turning path of the linear guide 31 (see FIG. 7) shown in FIG. 4(a) was applied to the orbit 40a of the turning path of the curved guide 1 as shown by the broken line in FIG. 4(b). In FIG. 4(a), reference numeral 43a indicates the orbit of the rolling path of the linear guide 31, reference numeral 39a indicates the orbit of the return path of the linear guide 31, and reference numeral 40a indicates the orbit of the turning path of the linear guide 31 (see also FIG. 7).

[0023] However, as shown in FIG. 4(b), when the orbit 40a of the turning path of the linear guide 31 is applied to the orbit 40a of the turning path of the curved guide 1 and the arc-shaped rolling path 13 and the turning path 10 are smoothly connected with a tangent line, since the rail 2 of the curved guide 1 is curved in an arc shape, the turning path 10 becomes narrow on the inner peripheral side of the curved guide 1, making it difficult for the rolling elements 3 to pass through, and the turning path 10 becomes wide on the outer peripheral side of the curved guide 1, making it easy for the rolling elements 3 to meander. Therefore, the turning path 10 of the curved guide 1 is made to be curved starting from the center of curvature O of the arc-shaped rolling path 13.

[0024] FIG. 5(a) shows the orbit 10a of the turning path 10 of the circulation path 5 on the inner peripheral side of the curved guide 1, and FIG. 5(b) shows the orbit 10a of the turning path 10 on the outer peripheral side of the curved guide 1. On the inner peripheral side in FIG. 5(a), the sign of the X-axis is set to + in the direction of the center of the arc of the rolling path 13 with point A as the reference, and on the outer peripheral side in FIG. 5(b), the sign of the X-axis is set to + in the outer direction of the arc of the rolling path 13 with point A as the reference. The broken lines in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) indicate the orbit 40a of the turning path 40 of the linear guide 31.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the orbit 10a (F X ´ i ,F Y ´ i ,F z ´ i ) of the turning path 10 on the inner peripheral side of the curved guide 1 is the orbit 40a (F X ,F Y ,F Z) The radius of curvature R of the orbit 13a of the rolling path 13 on the inner peripheral side of the curve guide 1 shown in FIG. 6 i is expressed as follows. (Equation 1) F X ´ i =R i (1 - cosγ)+F X ·cosγ F Y ´ i =R i ·sinγ - F X ·sinγ F Z ´ i =F Z Here, γ is the arc angle from the turn start point A, and γ = F Y / R i is.

[0026] Equation 1 means that when a point P is taken at a point where the arc length F has advanced from the turn start point A on the orbit 13a of the arc-shaped rolling path 13 of the curve guide 1, and the point is separated by F in the inner peripheral direction of the normal from this point P, it is the orbit 10a (F Y ´ X , F X ´ i , F Y ´ i , F z ´ i ) of the turn path 10 of the curve guide 1. The Z coordinate of the orbit 10a of the turn path 10 of the curve guide 1 is the same as the Z coordinate of the orbit 40a of the turn path 40 of the linear guide 31. When γ is gradually increased using Equation 1, the entire length orbit 10a of the turn path 10 of the curve guide 1 can be obtained.

[0027] When the turn path 10 of the curve guide 1 is curved starting from the curvature center O of the arc-shaped rolling path 13 as in Equation 1, it is possible to prevent the turn path 10 from becoming narrow on the inner peripheral side of the curve guide 1 and from becoming wide on the outer peripheral side of the curve guide 1. Also, it is guaranteed that the tangents of the rolling path 13 and the turn path 10 of the curve guide 1 are continuous at the turn start point A. Although it is desirable that the curvatures of the rolling path 13 and the turn path 10 of the curve guide 1 are continuous at the turn start point A, they may be discontinuous.

[0028] Similarly, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the orbit 10a (F X ´ O , F Y ´ O , F Z ´ O ) of the turn path 10 of the circulation path 5 on the outer peripheral side of the curve guide 1 is the orbit 40a (F X , F Y , F Z ) of the turn path 40 of the linear guide 31, and the radius of curvature R of the orbit 13a of the rolling path 13 on the outer peripheral side of the curve guide 1 shown in Fig. 6 is used to be expressed as follows. O is used to be expressed as follows. (Equation 2) F X ´ O = -R O (1 - cosγ) + F X ·cosγ F Y ´ O = R i ·sinγ + F X ·sinγ F Z ´ O = F Z Here, γ is the arc angle from the turn start point A, and γ = F Y / R O is.

[0029] Note that the turn start point A and the turn end point C may be interchanged, and the radius of curvature of the return path 9 of the curve guide 1 may be used instead of the radius of curvature of the rolling path 13 of the curve guide 1. (The orbit of the turn path of the linear guide (F X , F Y , F Z ))

[0030] As described above, the turn path 10 of the curve guide 1 is curved starting from the center of curvature O of the arc-shaped rolling path 13, and the turn path 40 of the linear guide 31 is formed by deforming it as in Equations 1 and 2. An example of the turn path 40 of the linear guide 31 will be described below.

[0031] Assume the linear guide 31 shown in FIG. 7. This linear guide 31 includes a linear rail 32 and a block 34 that is movable relative to the rail 32. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the rail 32, that is, the moving direction of the block 34 is defined as the Y-axis, the height direction is defined as the Z-axis, and the horizontal direction is defined as the X-axis.

[0032] Reference numeral 43 denotes a rolling path, reference numeral 39 denotes a return path, and reference numeral 40 denotes a turning path. The dashed-dotted line in FIG. 7 indicates the tracks 43a, 39a, 40a of the circulation path 35 (rolling path 43, return path 39, turning path 40). The rolling path 43 is formed between the rolling portion 37 of the rail 32 and the rolling portion 38 of the block 34. The rolling path 43 is linear. The return path 39 is linear and parallel to the rolling path 43. The turning path 40 has a three-dimensional shape.

[0033] The track 40a of the turning path 40 of the linear guide 31 is formed based on the cross-sectional track curve 44 (see FIG. 8(a)) in the XZ cross-section of the linear guide 31 and the longitudinal track curve 45 (see FIG. 8(b)) drawn on a virtual plane VP with the longitudinal direction of the linear guide 31 as the Y-axis and the length ω of the cross-sectional track curve 44 as the length ω of the W-axis.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 8(a), the cross-sectional track curve 44 is a curve showing the actual trajectory of the track along which the rolling elements 3 circulate in the XZ cross-section of the linear guide 31. A is the starting point of the turn, and C is the ending point of the turn. The cross-sectional track curve 44 is determined in advance by restrictions on the shape of the rail 32, restrictions on the shape of the turning path 40, etc. For example, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional track curve 44 is determined in advance by the restriction on the shape of the rail 32, and is formed by connecting a single arc and a straight line so that the rolling elements 3 can move along the arc portion 41 and the upper surface 32a of the side surface 32b of the rail 32. Of course, the cross-sectional track curve 44 is not limited to this, and it may be formed by connecting a plurality of arcs with different curvatures instead of a single arc. Also, instead of connecting an arc and a straight line, the cross-sectional track curve 44 may be formed only by an arc, an ellipse, a cycloid curve, a spline curve, or the like.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 8(b), the longitudinal track curve 45 is a curve that reverses the track direction by 180°. A is the start point of the turn, and C is the end point of the turn. The longitudinal track curve 45 is connected to the track 43a of the rolling path 43 and the track 39a of the return path 39. The track 43a of the rolling path 43 and the track 39a of the return path 39 are straight lines and parallel to the Y-axis. The turn track width α of the longitudinal track curve 45, that is, the distance between the track 43a of the rolling path 43 and the track 39a of the return path 39, is equal to the total track length α of the cross-sectional track curve 44 (see Fig. 8(a)).

[0036] The Y-axis of the virtual plane VP is the longitudinal direction of the linear guide 31, that is, the relative movement direction of the block 34. The W-axis of the virtual plane VP is different from the Z-axis of the linear guide 31. The variable ω of the W-axis is not the length in the Z-axis direction of the linear guide 31, but the track length ω from the start point A of the turn of the cross-sectional track curve 44 (see Fig. 8(a)). For example, when the cross-sectional track curve 44 is an arc, the track length ω is the arc length.

[0037] The longitudinal track curve 45 is a curve with continuous tangents, such as a single arc. The longitudinal track curve 45 may also be a curve with continuous tangents, such as an ellipse, a cycloid curve, or a spline curve.

[0038] The longitudinal track curve 45 is connected so that the tangent is substantially continuous with the track 43a of the rolling path 43 at the start point A of the turn. Also, it is connected so that the tangent is substantially continuous with the track 39a of the return path 39 at the end point C of the turn. Although it is desirable that the longitudinal track curve 45 is connected so that the tangent is continuous with both the track 43a of the rolling path 43 and the track 39a of the return path 39, it may be connected so that the tangent is continuous only with the track 43a of the rolling path 43.

[0039] When the horizontal direction of the linear guide 31 is the X coordinate, the height direction is the Z coordinate, and the longitudinal direction is the Y coordinate, the coordinates of the track 40a of the turn path 40 are represented by the following continuous X, Y, Z coordinates using the track length ω from the start point A of the turn of the cross-sectional track curve 44. (Equation 3) (X, Y, Z) = (F X (ω), F Y (ω), FZ (ω)) Here, the X and Z coordinates of the orbit 40a are the X and Z coordinates of the cross-sectional orbit curve 44 (F X (ω), F Z (ω)). The Y coordinate of the orbit 40a is the Y coordinate of the longitudinal orbit curve 45 with ω as a variable on the W axis of the virtual plane VP (F Y (ω)).

[0040] An example of the orbit 40a will be described below. The X and Z coordinates of the orbit 40a are the coordinates of the cross-sectional orbit curve 44 with the orbit length ω from the turn start point A as a variable, as shown in Fig. 8(a) (F X (ω), F Z (ω)).

[0041] When the cross-sectional orbit curve 44 is formed by connecting an arc and a straight line, as shown in Fig. 9(a), the X and Z coordinates of the cross-sectional orbit curve 44 are expressed as follows. (Equation 4) (X, Z) = (F X (ω), F Z (ω)) In the A - B section, TIFF2025108185000002.tif77149In the B - C section, TIFF2025108185000003.tif44125Here, A is the turn start point, B is the inflection point of the inner curvature of the cross-sectional orbit curve, and C is the turn end point. ω is the orbit length from the turn start point A and is a variable that changes from 0 to α. θ is the turn start angle, R1 is the cross-sectional orbit radius, and α is the total length of the cross-sectional orbit.

[0042] The Y coordinate of the orbit 40a is the Y coordinate of the longitudinal orbit curve 45 with ω as a variable on the W axis of the virtual plane VP, as shown in Fig. 8(b) (F Y (ω)).

[0043] When the longitudinal orbit curve 45 is formed from a single arc, as shown in Fig. 9(b), the Y coordinate of the orbit 40a is expressed as follows. (Equation 5) Y = F Y (ω) In the A - C section, TIFF2025108185000004.tif43125 Here, R2 is the longitudinal orbit radius, and R2 = α / 2.

[0044] The F in Equation 4 X (ω), F Z (ω), the F in Equation 5 Y (ω), the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the orbit 40a of the turn path 40 with the orbit length ω from the turn start point A as a variable can be obtained. Note that the F in Equation 5 W is not used to obtain the coordinates of the orbit 40a but is described for reference.

[0045] Fig. 7 shows the orbit 40a of the turn path 40 formed based on the cross-sectional orbit curve 44 and the longitudinal orbit curve 45. By forming the orbit 40a in this way, even if the orbit 40a is a three-dimensional and complex orbit, it can be connected at the turn start point A so that the tangent is substantially continuous with the orbit 43a of the rolling path 43. Also, it can be connected at the turn end point C so that the tangent is substantially continuous with the orbit 39a of the return path 39.

[0046] Note that the orbit 40a of the turn path 40 of the linear guide 31 is not limited to the three-dimensional orbit as described above. For example, a two-dimensional orbit such as an arc, an ellipse, a cycloid curve, or a spline curve drawn in a plane may also be used. (Effect)

[0047] The effect of the curve guide 1 of the present embodiment will be described below.

[0048] Since the turn path 10 is curved starting from the center of curvature O of the arc-shaped rolling path 13, it is possible to prevent the turn path 10 from becoming narrow on the inner peripheral side of the curve guide 1 and wide on the outer peripheral side of the curve guide 1. Therefore, the rolling elements 3 circulate smoothly.

[0049] Since the rolling path 13 and the turn path 10 are connected so that the tangent is substantially continuous, the rolling elements 3 circulate more smoothly.

[0050] The track 10a (F X ´ i ,F Y ´ i ,F Z ´ i ) and / or the track 10a of the outer circumferential turning path 10 (F X ´ O ,F Y ´ O ,F Z ´ O ) on the track 40a (F X ,F Y ,F Z ) is expressed as Equation 1 and / or Equation 2 using the radius of curvature of the rolling path 13 or return path 9 of the curved guide 1, so that it is guaranteed that the tangents of the arc-shaped rolling path 13 of the curved guide 1 and the turning path 10 are continuous at the start point A of the turn.

[0051] The track 40a (F X ,F Y ,F Z ) is formed based on a cross-sectional orbit curve 44 in the XZ cross section of the linear guide 31 and a longitudinal orbit curve 45 drawn on a virtual plane VP in which the longitudinal direction of the linear guide 31 is the Y-axis and the orbit length ω from the turning start point A of the cross-sectional orbit curve 44 is the length ω of the W-axis. Therefore, even if the turning path 40 of the linear guide 31 is a complex three-dimensional orbit, the tangents of the turning path 40 and the rolling path 43 of the linear guide 31 can be made continuous.

[0052] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the rolling elements are balls, but the rolling elements may be rollers. Also, spacers may be interposed between the rolling elements.

[0054] In the above embodiment, an example of an outer block type curve guide in which a block having a substantially U-shaped cross section straddles a rail has been described. However, an inner block type curve guide in which an inner block is arranged in an outer rail having a substantially U-shaped cross section may also be used. Further, arc-shaped rails may be connected to form a ring shape.

Industrial Applicability

[0055] The curve guide of this embodiment is a mechanical element that guides the arc motion of a movable body, and its application is not particularly limited. For example, it can be used in automotive steering devices, machine tools, conveying devices, industrial robots, semiconductor manufacturing devices, liquid crystal manufacturing devices, wind power generation devices, truck cranes, and slewing bearings of observatories.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0056] 1... Curve guide, 2... Rail, 3... Rolling element, 4... Block, 7... Rolling portion of the rail, 8... Rolling portion of the block, 9... Return path of the curve guide, 13... Rolling path of the curve guide, 10... Turn path of the curve guide, 31... Linear guide, 40... Turn path of the linear guide, 44... Cross-sectional orbital curve of the linear guide, 45... Longitudinal orbital curve of the linear guide

Claims

1. An arcuate rail, a block that is relatively movable with respect to the rail, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed in a circulation path including a rolling path, a return path, and a turn path that connects the rolling path and the return path between a rolling portion of the rail and a rolling portion of the block. In the curved guide, the turn path is curved starting from the center of curvature of the arcuate rolling path, and the curved guide is characterized by this.

2. The curved guide according to claim 1, characterized in that the rolling path and the turn path are connected so that the tangents are substantially continuous.

3. The orbit (F Ｘ ´ ｉ , F Ｙ ´ ｉ , F Ｚ ´ ｉ ) of the turning path of the circulation path on the inner peripheral side of the curved guide is the orbit (F Ｘ , F Ｙ , F Ｚ ) of the turning path of the linear guide, the rolling path or the return path of the circulation path on the inner peripheral side of the curved guide, and the radius of curvature R ｉ of the orbit, and is expressed as in Equation 1. And / or, The orbit (F Ｘ ´ Ｏ , F Ｙ ´ Ｏ , F Ｚ ´ Ｏ ) of the turning path of the circulation path on the outer peripheral side of the curved guide is the orbit (F Ｘ , F Ｙ , F Ｚ ) of the turning path of the linear guide, the rolling path or the return path of the circulation path on the outer peripheral side of the curved guide, and the radius of curvature R Ｏ of the orbit, and is represented by Equation 2, and the curved guide according to claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that. (Equation 1) F Ｘ ´ ｉ = R ｉ (1 - cos γ) + F Ｘ · cos γ F Ｙ ´ ｉ = R ｉ · sinγ - F Ｘ · sinγ F Ｚ ´ ｉ = F Ｚ Here, γ is the arc angle from the start point of the turn, and γ = F Ｙ / R ｉ is the case. (Equation 2) F Ｘ ´ Ｏ = -R Ｏ (1 - cosγ) + F Ｘ ·cosγ F Ｙ ´ Ｏ = R Ｏ · sinγ + F Ｘ · sinγ F Ｚ ´ Ｏ = F Ｚ Here, γ is the arc angle from the turn start point, and γ = F Ｙ / R Ｏ is true.

4. The orbit (F Ｘ , F Ｙ , F Ｚ ) of the turning path of the linear guide is formed based on the cross-sectional orbit curve in the XZ cross-section of the linear guide and the longitudinal orbit curve drawn on a virtual plane with the longitudinal direction of the linear guide as the Y-axis and the orbit length ω from the turn start point of the cross-sectional orbit curve as the length ω of the W-axis. (F Ｘ , F Ｚ ) are the X and Z coordinates of the cross-sectional trajectory curve, F Ｙ The curve guide according to claim 3, wherein F is the Y coordinate of the longitudinal trajectory curve with ω as a variable on the W axis of the virtual plane.

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