Method for assembling linear guide device

Abstract

To provide a method for assembling a linear guide device that is easy and quick to assemble, advantageous in terms of productivity and quality stability, without causing cost increases due to improved component precision or the like.SOLUTION: In a method for assembling a linear guide device, a protruding portion of an insertion jig is inserted into an insertion passage of an end cap so as to be guided by the insertion passage, and brought into abutment with a locking surface of a slider body or the end cap. Through the protruding portion of the insertion jig, rolling elements are inserted from the insertion jig into a return path. The insertion jig is then removed from the insertion passage, and a closure member is fitted into the insertion passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for assembling a linear guide device. [Background technology]

[0002] Linear guide devices, which guide objects linearly while allowing rolling elements such as rollers and balls to circulate endlessly inside, are one of the important machine elements that have a significant impact on the motion accuracy of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, ultra-precision processing machines, ultra-precision measuring instruments, etc.

[0003] In particular, there is a growing demand for higher load capacity in linear motion guiding devices used in machine tools, precision instruments, injection molding machines, etc., and rollers are increasingly being used as rolling elements. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for assembling such linear motion guiding devices, for example, that incorporates rolling elements and retainer pieces into the slide body of the linear motion guiding device without requiring much time or effort, and that automates and enhances the precision of the assembly work. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-64108 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a rolling element insertion jig in which the rolling elements and retainer pieces are pre-aligned is used to insert the rolling elements through a rolling element insertion port provided in the circulating component toward the return passage. However, because a joint surface is provided around the entire circumference of the rolling elements, if a step or tilt occurs at the joint, the tilt of the rolling elements cannot be suppressed, which causes disruption to the movement of the rolling element row when transferring at the joint, and there is a risk of errors such as the rolling elements tipping over. On the other hand, if the dimensional precision of the rolling element insertion port and rolling element insertion jig is increased in order to suppress the step or tilt between the two components at the joint, this could result in increased costs.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a method for assembling a linear guide device that allows for easy and quick assembly and is advantageous in terms of productivity and quality stability, without incurring an increase in cost due to improvements in part precision, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The assembly method of the linear guide device of the present invention includes the steps of: Guide rails and a slider disposed so as to move relative to the guide rail in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of rolling elements disposed rollably along a rolling path formed between the guide rail and the slider; The slider includes: a slider body having a raceway surface disposed opposite to the raceway groove of the guide rail to form a rolling path for the rolling elements, and a return path for the rolling elements; an end cap attached to the slider body, The end cap is a direction change path connecting the rolling path and the return path; an insertion path formed by cutting out a part of the direction change path; a blocking member that blocks the insertion path, a protruding portion of an insertion jig is inserted into the insertion path so as to be guided by the insertion path, and is brought into contact with a locking surface of the slider body or the end cap; The rolling element is inserted into the return path from the insertion jig via a protruding portion of the insertion jig; The insertion jig is removed from the insertion path, and a blocking member is fitted into the insertion path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for assembling a linear guide device that allows for easy and quick assembly without incurring cost increases due to improvements in part precision, etc., and is advantageous in terms of productivity and quality stability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a linear guide device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a front view showing a state in which a side seal and an end cap are removed from the slider of the linear guide device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of an end cap that constitutes the slider of this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2, showing the slider body and the end cap assembled together. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the insertion hole in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the end of the sleeve on the end cap side. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view of the sleeve of FIG. 6 as viewed in the direction of arrow VII. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view of the insertion jig of FIG. 5 as seen in the direction of arrow VIII. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view of the insertion hole as viewed in the direction of arrow IX. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 of a sleeve according to a modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 of a modified ball screw. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification, terms indicating directions (upward, downward, etc.) refer to the respective directions in Figure 2 unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the "longitudinal direction" refers to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail or slider.

[0011] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a linear guide device according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a side seal and an end cap are removed from the slider of the linear guide device of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view of an end cap constituting the slider of this embodiment.

[0012] In the figure, the linear guide device comprises a guide rail 1, a slider 2, rolling elements (cylindrical rollers) 3 (shown by solid lines in FIG. 2), retainer pieces 31 (shown by partially broken lines in FIG. 2), and a retainer 4.

[0013] The slider 2 is composed of, in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 1, a slider body 21, a pair of end caps 22A and 22B arranged on both ends of the slider body 21 in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of side seals 23 arranged on the opposite side of the slider body 21 with the end caps 22A and 22B in between. Rolling surfaces 11a and 11b are formed on both side surfaces of the guide rail 1, respectively.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, the slider body 21 has a U-shaped cross section and is made up of a base 201a and sleeves 201b that extend downward from both sides of the base 201a in the width direction. A pair of upper roller raceway surfaces 200a is formed on the opposing inner surfaces of the sleeves 201b of the slider body 21 so as to face the rolling surface 11a when the slider body 21 is assembled to the guide rail 1, and a pair of lower roller raceway surfaces 200b is formed so as to face the rolling surface 11b. A rolling path 1A (Fig. 4) is formed between the rolling surface 11a and the upper roller raceway surface 200a, and another rolling path is formed between the rolling surface 11b and the lower roller raceway surface 200b.

[0015] Furthermore, the guide groove (guide portion) 10 of the retainer piece 31 is formed by the retainer 4 assembled to the slider body 21. Return paths 1b to 4b are formed in the sleeve portion 201b, penetrating the sleeve portion 201b in the axial direction. The return paths 1b to 4b are formed in a sleeve 21b inserted into a through hole 21a that has a circular cross section and penetrates the slider body 21 in the front-rear direction. The sleeve 21b fixed to the through hole 21a becomes part of the slider body 21. The sleeve 21b will be described later.

[0016] The end caps 22A, 22B and the side seal 23 have a U-shaped cross section similar to the slider body 21. The end cap 22B has insertion paths corresponding to the return paths 2b, 3b relative to the end cap 22A, and has a similar configuration, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the end cap 22A has insertion paths 11D and 14D for inserting the rolling elements 3 and retainer pieces 31 into the circulation path, which are formed in correspondence with the return paths 1b and 4b.

[0018] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2, showing the slider body 21 and end caps 22A and 22B assembled together, with the blocking member 30 assembled to the end cap 22A, illustrating the state when the linear guide bearing is in use. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the insertion hole 4d in Fig. 3, showing the state when the insertion jig 40 has been inserted into the insertion hole 4d. Note that Figs. 4 and 5 are common or symmetrical to cross-sectional views passing through the return paths 1b to 3b, and therefore the structure will be described here based on the return path 4b, and descriptions of the other return paths will be omitted.

[0019] The return path 4b is formed from the inner surface of the sleeve 21b and is connected to the rolling path 1A by a direction change path 1C consisting of an inner arcuate surface 11C and an outer arcuate surface 12C, as shown in FIG. 4. The inner arcuate surface 11C is formed in a return guide (not shown) that is a separate component from the end cap 22A, and the direction change path 1C is formed by incorporating the return guide into the end cap 22A. The insertion path 14D is formed by penetrating a portion of the outer arcuate surface 12c of the direction change path 1C along the extension direction of the return path 4b, extending from the end face of the end cap 22 toward the return path 4b. In this embodiment, the direction change path 1C consists of a curved portion and a straight portion, and the return path 4b consists only of a straight portion. Note that the direction change path 1C may also consist only of a curved portion.

[0020] Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the end of sleeve 21b on the end cap 22A side. Fig. 7 is a view of sleeve 21b in Fig. 6 as seen in the direction of arrow VII, and shows the end face of protrusion 43 of insertion jig 40 that abuts against it by a dashed dotted line.

[0021] The outer periphery of sleeve 21b is a cylindrical surface that can fit tightly against the inner periphery of through-hole 21a. Sleeve 21b has a generally rectangular inner cross-sectional shape similar to the shape of rolling element 3 with retainer piece 31 assembled thereto, projected in the rolling direction. Specifically, sleeve 21b has hole ceiling surface 21e, hole bottom surface 21f, and a pair of side surfaces 21c, each of which has a guide groove 10 with a rectangular cross section that extends in the longitudinal direction. Side surfaces 21c function as rolling element end face guide surfaces that guide the end faces of rolling element 3, and guide grooves 10 have the function of holding retainer piece 31.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6, the end of the sleeve 21b on the end cap 22A side extends a distance E toward the end cap 22A, with the lower end surface of the guide groove 10 as the boundary. The upper end surface 21h and the lower end surface 21i are separated in the axial direction. When the sleeve 21b is inserted into the through-hole 21a of the slider body 21, the upper end surface 21h is flush with the end surface 21d of the slider body 21 (see FIG. 5), and the lower end surface (locking surface) 21i is positioned further back than the end surface 21d. In other words, the position of the lower end surface 21i as the locking surface is shifted in the longitudinal direction of the return path 4b relative to the position of the connection between the end of the direction change path 1C and the return path 4b of the slider body 21 other than the lower end surface 21i (FIG. 5). The upper end surface 21h and the lower end surface 21i are perpendicular to the axis of the return path 4b.

[0023] As shown in Figure 5, the direction change path 1C is provided with an outer guide surface 1Cb and an inner guide surface 1Cc that guide the outer peripheral surface of the rolling element 3. Furthermore, rolling element end face guide surfaces 1Ca that guide the end faces of the rolling element 3 are provided on the outer guide surface 1Cb side and the inner guide surface 1Cc side, respectively, preventing large tilts or tipping of the rolling elements 3 and enabling smooth circulation of the rolling elements 3. In addition, the side surface 21c of the sleeve 21b of the return path 4b is integrally connected (without gaps or steps) to the rolling element end face guide surface 1Ca on the direction change path 1C side. Guide grooves 10 are formed on the inner walls along the length of the direction change path 1C and the insertion path 14D.

[0024] The insertion hole 4d is formed opposite the return path 4b. As shown in Fig. 5, the bottom surface of the insertion hole 4d is shifted in parallel with the bottom surface of the return path 4b (hole bottom surface 21f of the sleeve 21b) by a distance A in a direction away from the rolling path 1A.

[0025] The insertion hole 4d is provided by cutting out a part of the outer guide surface 1Cb of the direction change path 1C and the rolling element end face guide surface 1Ca.

[0026] The insertion hole 4d formed in the end cap 22A is closed by a closing member 30 shown in Fig. 4. The closing member 30 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or plastic, has an outer shape that fits into the insertion hole 4d, and has an arc-shaped surface 30a that becomes part of the outer arc-shaped surface 12c of the direction change path 1C. When the closing member 30 fits into the insertion hole 4d of the end cap 22A, the end face of the closing member 30 coincides with and becomes part of the end face of the end cap 22A, and is in close contact with the end face (orthogonal surface) 21d of the slider body 21 and the upper end face 21h and lower end face 21i of the sleeve 21b.

[0027] Next, the insertion jig 40 used in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a view of the insertion jig 40 in Fig. 5 as seen in the direction of arrow VIII. Fig. 9 is a view of the insertion hole 4d as seen in the direction of arrow IX.

[0028] 8 and 9, the insertion jig 40 has an alignment case 41, a cover member 42 that covers the open upper end of the alignment case 41, and a protrusion 43 that protrudes from the longitudinal end face of the alignment case 41 along the axis of the alignment case 41.

[0029] The alignment case 41 is made up of a bottom 41a and side portions 41b, 41b extending upward from both ends of the bottom 41a in the width direction. An alignment groove 41c is formed inside the area surrounded by the bottom 41a and the side portions 41b, 41b.

[0030] The protrusion 43 is formed by a central plate 43a and side plate portions 43b, 43b extending upward from both widthwise ends of the central plate 43a. The upper surface of the central plate 43a is aligned with the bottom surface of the alignment groove 41c. The upper surface of the central plate 43a is perpendicular to the opposing inner surfaces of the side plate portions 43b, 43b. The lower surface of the central plate 43a is connected to the outer surfaces of the side plate portions 43b, 43b by inclined surfaces 43c, 43c, respectively. The width of the protrusion 43 is W1, the thickness of the central plate 43a is T, and the axial length of the protrusion 43 is L (see FIG. 5). In the alignment case 41, both side surfaces of the alignment groove 41c are flush with the inner surfaces of the side plate portions 43b, 43b and are substantially flush with the rolling element end face guide surface 1Ca when the protrusion 43 is inserted into the insertion hole 4d.

[0031] 8, the shape formed by the inner surfaces of the side portions 41b of the alignment case 41, the upper surface of the central plate portion 43a, and the opposing inner surfaces of the side plate portions 43b, 43b approximately matches the lower shape (below the retaining piece) of the assembly combining the linearly arranged rolling elements 3 and the retaining piece 31. The distance W3 between the opposing inner surfaces of the side plate portions 43b, 43b is smaller than the distance W2 between the opposing inner surfaces of the side portions 41b, 41b.

[0032] The cover member 42 is made up of a plate portion 42a and a retaining portion 42b that protrudes from the underside of the plate portion 42a and fits into the alignment groove 41c. The retaining portion 42b has a U-shaped cross section and includes a ceiling retaining portion 42c and side retaining portions 42d, 42d that extend downward from both ends of the ceiling retaining portion 42c in the width direction.

[0033] When viewed from the direction of FIG. 8, the shape formed by the lower surface of the ceiling retaining portion 42c, the inner surfaces of the side retaining portions 42d, 42d, and the inner surface of the side portion 41b of the alignment case 41 roughly matches the upper shape (above the retaining piece) of an assembly combining the linearly arranged rolling elements 3 and retaining piece 31. The distance between the ceiling retaining portion 42c and the upper surface of the center plate portion 43a is slightly larger than the diameter of the rolling elements 3. Furthermore, the distance between the side retaining portions 42d, 42d and the side plate portions 43b, 43b is slightly larger than the vertical dimension of the retaining piece 31. The alignment case 41 of the insertion jig 40 is provided with guide surfaces that guide the outer peripheral surfaces and end faces of the rolling elements 3. However, after the rolling elements 3 of the assembly transfer from the alignment case 41 to the protruding portion 43, the upper portions of the rolling elements 3 are no longer constrained by the insertion jig 40 and are instead held by the protruding portion 43.

[0034] The lower portion of the outer shape of the protrusion 43 has substantially the same shape as the lower portion of the inner shape of the opposing insertion hole 4d. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the insertion hole 4d has a bottom surface 4da, a pair of side surfaces 4db, 4db, and a ceiling surface 4dc. The bottom surface 4da and the side surfaces 4db, 4db are connected by hole inclined surfaces 4dd, 4dd, and the insertion hole 4d has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The spacing B between the parallel side surfaces 4db, 4db is equal to the width W1 of the protrusion 43, the distance A between the bottom surface of the return path 4b and the bottom surface 4da is equal to the plate thickness T of the central plate portion 43a, and the longitudinal length C of the insertion hole 4d (here, equal to the axial length of the end cap 22A; FIG. 5) is shorter than the length L of the protrusion 43. Here, LC>E.

[0035] When the protrusion 43 of the alignment case 41 is inserted into the insertion hole 4d, the bottom surface of the central plate 43a of the protrusion 43 contacts the bottom surface 4da over almost the entire surface, and the inclined surfaces 43c, 43c come into surface contact with the hole inclined surfaces 4dd, 4dd. At this time, the upper surface of the central plate 43a is connected to the bottom surface of the return path 4b without any steps. However, the upper parts of the side surfaces 4db, 4db of the insertion hole 4d and the ceiling surface 4dc do not contact the insertion jig 40. Furthermore, to allow the rolling elements 3 to move smoothly from the alignment case 41 to the return path 4b, it is preferable that the distance W3 between the opposing inner surfaces of the side plates 43b, 43b of the protrusion 43, which guide the outer peripheral surface and end face of the rolling elements 3, be approximately equal to or smaller than the width dimension D of the return path 4b.

[0036] (Rolling element assembly method) Next, we will explain the method of assembling the rolling elements 3. First, the slider 2 is assembled by fixing the end cap 22A to one end of the slider body 21 and the end cap 22B to the other end with bolts. At this time, the upper end surface 21h of the sleeve 21b abuts against the opposing end surface of the end cap 22A and the end surface of the return guide on which the inner arc surface 11C is formed.

[0037] Next, the slider 2 is attached to the guide rail 1. At this time, the insertion holes 1d and 4d of the end cap 22A are not closed by the closing member 30, and their open ends are exposed. The rolling elements 3 and retainer pieces 31 are placed side by side in the alignment grooves 41c of the alignment case 41 of the insertion jig 40, and are covered with a lid member 42. Note that the guide rail 1 used when assembling the rolling elements may be prepared as a jig specifically for assembling the rolling elements. For example, a jig (temporary rail) with the minimum length required for assembling the rolling elements (for example, approximately 1.2 to 2 times the length of the slider 2 in FIG. 1) and the same cross-sectional shape as the guide rail 1 may be used.

[0038] Furthermore, the protrusion 43 of the insertion jig 40 is inserted into and penetrates the insertion hole 4d, and its tip surface abuts against the lower end surface 21i of the sleeve 21b. At this time, the tip of the central plate portion 43a of the protrusion 43 is seamlessly connected to the return path 4b, and the bottom surface of the return path 4b (hole bottom surface 21f of the sleeve 21b) and the upper surface of the central plate portion 43a are almost flush with each other, but no part of the insertion jig 40 other than the protrusion 43 comes into contact with the insertion hole 4d.

[0039] Therefore, the rolling elements 3 and retainer pieces 31 are pushed out from the rear end of the alignment groove 41c of the alignment case 41 toward the return path 4b. At this time, the upper outer periphery of the rolling elements 3 on the protruding portion 43 of the insertion jig 40 is not in contact with (is not constrained by) the alignment case 41, and before the rolling elements 3 move from the center plate portion 43a to the return path 4b, the end faces of the rolling elements 3 are guided sequentially by the rolling element end face guide surface 1Ca or side surface 21c of the direction change path 1C. This allows multiple rolling elements 3 and retainer pieces 31 to be continuously inserted through the insertion path 14D. As a result, the rolling elements 3 and retainer pieces 31 are circulatably arranged throughout the entire circulation path.

[0040] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4, the insertion jig 40 is removed from the insertion hole 4d of the end cap 22A, and the blocking member 30 is fitted into the insertion hole 4d.

[0041] As a result, the arc-shaped surface 30a of the blocking member 30 is positioned in the portion of the outer arc-shaped surface 12c of the direction change path 1C that was penetrated by the insertion path 14D, becoming part of the outer arc-shaped surface 12c and connecting to the return path 4b without any gaps. Note that for the insertion path 11D, the rolling element 3 and retainer piece 31 can be inserted in a similar manner using the insertion jig 40. As a result, the rolling element 3 and retainer piece 31 circulate endlessly on the track formed by the rolling path 1A, which forms a load groove by opposing the rolling surfaces 11a, 11b of the guide rail 1, the direction change path 1C, and the return path 4b, and the slider 2 becomes movable relative to the guide rail 1.

[0042] According to this embodiment, the protrusion 43 of the alignment case 41 abuts against the lower end surface 21i of the sleeve 21b, and the upper surface of the central plate 43a is substantially flush with the hole bottom surface 21f, functioning as a joint that connects to the return path 4b that is connected to the outer arc surface 12c of the direction change path 1C. In this case, the protrusion 43 may abut against a part of the end cap 22A as an engaging surface.

[0043] In addition, the protrusion 43 of the alignment case 41 of the insertion jig 40 has side plate portions 43b, 43b whose inner surfaces are flush with the rolling element end face guide surface 1Ca of the direction change path 1C of the end cap 22A, so that when the rolling element 3 is inserted, only a portion of the rolling element 3 comes into contact with the central plate portion 43a and the side plate portions 43b, 43b.

[0044] At this time, a part of the rolling element end face guide surface 1Ca of the direction change path 1C and the upper side surface 21c of the sleeve 21b, which serves as the rolling element end face guide surface of the return path 4b, are connected without any gaps or steps, so even if the alignment case 41 is installed at an angle, the inclination of the rolling element 3 relative to the axis can be suppressed by the inner rolling element end face guide surface 1Ca and side surface 21c, and the row of rolling elements can be moved smoothly from the alignment case 41 to the return path 4b.

[0045] This allows for easy and quick assembly of the rolling elements 3 and prevents errors such as the rolling elements 3 tipping over due to disturbances in the movement of the rolling element row when transferring from the insertion hole 4d to the return path 4b, which is advantageous in terms of productivity and quality stability. Even if the alignment case 41 is installed at an angle, there is no step between the rolling element end face guide surface 1Ca of the direction change path 1C and the upper side surface 21c of the sleeve 21b at the joint of the protrusion 43 of the alignment case 41 (the lower end surface 21i of the sleeve 21b). These surfaces prevent the rolling elements 3 from tilting, eliminating the need for high dimensional accuracy for the insertion hole 4d and the alignment case 41, which reduces costs. This eliminates cost increases due to improvements in component precision, making assembly easy and quick, and is advantageous in terms of productivity and quality stability.

[0046] Furthermore, by arranging the rolling path 1A of the slider body 21 of the linear guide device facing up and the return path 4b facing down, when the row of rolling elements 3 crosses the direction change path 1C during insertion, it is possible to prevent the rolling elements 3 from accidentally entering the direction change path 1C side due to gravity, which is further advantageous in terms of productivity and quality stability.

[0047] (Variation) FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 of a sleeve 210b according to a modified example. In this modified example, a portion of the sleeve 210b protrudes from the lower end face 210i of the sleeve of the first embodiment to form a lower protrusion 210j. The end face of the lower protrusion 210j is flush with the upper end face 21h. Furthermore, the recess F formed between the upper end face 21h and the lower protrusion 210j matches the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 43 of the insertion jig 40. The lower face of the lower protrusion 210j is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the through-hole 21a. The rest of the shape of the sleeve 210b is the same as in the first embodiment, so a repeated description will be omitted.

[0048] According to this modification, when inserting the rolling elements, the protrusion 43 of the insertion jig 40 can be fitted into the recess F formed between the upper end face 21h and the lower protrusion 210j, and the tip of the protrusion 43 abuts against the lower end face 210i above the lower protrusion 210j. At this time, the protrusion 43 can be stably held by abutting the upper surfaces of the side plate portions 43b, 43b of the protrusion 43 against the lower surfaces of the upper side walls 21k, 21k of the sleeve 210b and by abutting the lower surface of the center plate portion 43a against the upper surface of the lower protrusion 210j.

[0049] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example similar to Figure 5. A notch that engages with the lower protrusion 210j of the sleeve 210b is formed at the tip of the protrusion 43. The tip of the protrusion 43 is held between the upper side wall 21k of the sleeve 210b and the upper surface of the lower protrusion 210j, which further prevents the sleeve from tilting.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the scope of protection includes the mutual combination of the configurations of the embodiments, and modifications and applications by those skilled in the art based on the description in the specification and well-known technologies. For example, the outer shape of the protrusion of the alignment case and the shape of the rolling element insertion path may be appropriately set according to the size of the linear guide device, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 Guide rail 2 Slider 21,221 Slider body 22A, 22B, 222A end caps 3 Rolling elements 1A rolling track 1b~4b Return route 1C Turning Point 40 Insertion jig 41 Alignment Case 42 Lid member 43 Protrusion

Claims

1. Guide rails and a slider disposed so as to move relative to the guide rail in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of rolling elements disposed rollably along a rolling path formed between the guide rail and the slider; The slider includes: a slider body having a raceway surface that forms the rolling path of the rolling element and a return path of the rolling element; an end cap attached to the slider body, The end cap is a direction change path connecting the rolling path and the return path; an insertion path formed by cutting out a part of the direction change path; a blocking member that blocks the insertion path, a protruding portion of an insertion jig is inserted into the insertion path so as to be guided by the insertion path, and is brought into contact with a locking surface of the slider body or the end cap; The rolling element is inserted into the return path from the insertion jig via a protruding portion of the insertion jig; The insertion jig is removed from the insertion path, and a blocking member is fitted into the insertion path. A method for assembling a linear guide device comprising the steps of:

2. the protruding portion of the insertion jig has a central plate portion on whose upper surface the rolling elements can roll, and side plate portions extending in a direction perpendicular to both ends of the central plate portion in the width direction, a side surface of the side plate portion abuts against a part of an end surface of the rolling element to be inserted; 2. A method for assembling a linear guide device according to claim 1.

3. a part of a rolling path end face guide surface of the direction change path that guides the end face of the rolling element is joined without a gap or step to a rolling path end face guide surface of the return path that guides the end face of the rolling element; 2. A method for assembling a linear guide device according to claim 1.

4. the turning path includes a curved surface portion, the return path connected to the curved surface portion is formed from an inner surface of a sleeve inserted into the through hole of the slider body, The locking surface is an end surface of the sleeve.

2. A method for assembling a linear guide device according to claim 1.

5. 2. The method for assembling a linear guide device according to claim 1, wherein the position of the locking surface is shifted in the longitudinal direction of the return path relative to the position of a connection between an end of the direction changing path and the return path of the slider body other than the locking surface.

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