Linear slider and method for processing processed member using the same

Abstract

To provide a linear slider which can be used with a member other than a member having a circular cross sectional shape or a special rail member and enables smooth motion on a curved track as well as linear motion.SOLUTION: A linear slider 10 may move on a rail member R and includes a linear slider body 12 and three shaft support bodies 18 for supporting the rail member R. The three shaft support bodies 18 have: three flexible shaft members 20 which are provided at the linear slider body 12 and extend inclining at a predetermined angle relative to each other; bearing members 22 supporting both ends of each shaft member 20; and rotary members 24 each of which may rotate around an axis of the shaft member 20 and contacts with the rail member R. The shaft member 20 is extended in an axial direction to provide predetermined spaces 26 between the rotary member 24 and the bearing members 22 to facilitate predetermined deflection of the shaft member 20. The spacer member 28 is provided in the predetermined space 26 to position the rotary member 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a linear slider and a method for processing a workpiece using the linear slider. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional linear bushings and slide rails could only be used with circular cross-sections or dedicated rail members, and their operation was, in principle, limited to linear motion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-166718 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a linear slider that can be used with a cross-sectional shape other than a circular shape or a dedicated rail member, and that can achieve smooth movement not only in a linear motion but also on a curved trajectory.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for processing a workpiece using a linear slider, which can achieve smooth processing by using the above-mentioned linear slider to hold the workpiece so that it cannot rotate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first invention is a linear slider movable on a rail member, a linear slider body that serves as a housing; a support body provided on the linear slider body and supporting the rail member; and The support body is a plurality of flexible shaft members provided on the linear slider body and extending apart from each other by a predetermined angle; bearing members for supporting both ends of the shaft member; a rotating member disposed on the axis of the shaft member, rotatable around the axis of the shaft member, and in contact with the rail member; and This is a linear slider in which the shaft member is extended in the axial direction to provide a predetermined gap between the rotating member and the bearing member, thereby promoting a predetermined bending deformation of the shaft member, and the rotating member is positioned by providing a spacer member in the predetermined gap.

[0007] A second invention is a linear slider movable on a rail member, a linear slider body that serves as a housing; a three-axis support body provided on the linear slider body and supporting the rail member; and The three-axis support body is Three flexible shaft members provided on the linear slider body and extending at a predetermined angle to each other; bearing members for supporting both ends of the shaft member; a rotating member disposed on the axis of the shaft member, rotatable around the axis of the shaft member, and in contact with the rail member; and This is a linear slider in which the shaft member is extended in the axial direction to provide a predetermined gap between the rotating member and the bearing member, thereby promoting a predetermined bending deformation of the shaft member, and the rotating member is positioned by providing a spacer member in the predetermined gap.

[0008] A third invention is a linear slider movable on a rail member, a linear slider body that serves as a housing; a four-axis support body provided on the linear slider body and supporting the rail member; and The four-axis support body is four flexible shaft members provided on the linear slider body and extending perpendicular to each other; bearing members for supporting both ends of the shaft member; a rotating member disposed on the axis of the shaft member, rotatable around the axis of the shaft member, and in contact with the rail member; and This is a linear slider in which the shaft member is extended in the axial direction to provide a predetermined gap between the rotating member and the bearing member, thereby promoting a predetermined bending deformation of the shaft member, and the rotating member is positioned by providing a spacer member in the predetermined gap.

[0009] In the above invention, at least one of the support body, the three-axis support body, and the four-axis support body may be provided at each of both axial end portions of the linear slider body.

[0010] In the above invention, the spacer member may be a washer.

[0011] In the above invention, the rotating member may be any of various rolling bearings, such as a ball bearing, a cylindrical roller bearing, a one-way clutch, etc. A one-way clutch is a rolling bearing that rotates in only one direction and is locked from rotating in the opposite direction.

[0012] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a method for processing a workpiece using the linear slider, comprising: the rail member is a workpiece formed to have an angular cross-sectional shape, The method for processing a workpiece includes processing the workpiece while the workpiece is fixed so as not to be rotatable by the rotating member of the linear slider. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The linear rider of the present invention can be used on shafts or dedicated rails other than those with a circular cross section, and can achieve smooth movement not only in a linear motion but also on a curved trajectory.

[0014] According to the method for processing a workpiece using a linear slider of the present invention, the above-described linear slider is used to hold the workpiece so that it cannot rotate, thereby enabling smooth processing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the linear slider according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing various holes formed inside the linear slider according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows HH in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 1 is a front view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a notch is formed. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a side view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a notch is formed. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a rear view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention in which a cutout portion is formed. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows LL in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows between KK in FIG. 8. [Figure 13] 1 is a front view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a shaft position adjusting member is provided. [Figure 14] 1 is a side view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a shaft position adjusting member is provided. FIG. [Figure 15]1 is a rear view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a shaft position adjusting member is provided. FIG. [Figure 16] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along an oblique arrow in FIG. 13. [Figure 17] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow II in FIG. 13. [Figure 18] 1 is a front view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which three-axis support bodies are arranged in the same phase at both axial ends thereof. FIG. [Figure 19] 1 is a side view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which three-axis support bodies are arranged in the same phase at both axial ends thereof. FIG. [Figure 20] 1 is a rear view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which three-axis support bodies are arranged in the same phase at both axial ends thereof. FIG. [Figure 21] 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows between CC in FIG. 18. [Figure 22] 1 is a front view seen from one axial side of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which three-axis support bodies are arranged at both axial ends of the linear slider with different phases (a phase shift of about 60 degrees). FIG. [Figure 23] 1 is a side view seen from one axial side of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which three-axis support bodies are arranged at both axial ends of the linear slider with different phases (a phase shift of about 60 degrees). FIG. [Figure 24] 1 is a rear view seen from one axial side of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which three-axis support bodies are arranged at both axial ends of the linear slider with different phases (a phase shift of about 60 degrees). FIG. [Figure 25] 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows DD in FIG. 22. [Figure 26] 1 is a front view seen from the other axial side of the linear slider according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which three-axis support bodies are arranged at both axial ends of the linear slider with different phases (a phase shift of about 60 degrees). FIG. [Figure 27]1 is a plan view seen from the other axial side of the linear slider according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which three-axis support bodies are arranged at both axial ends of the linear slider with different phases (phase shift of about 60 degrees). FIG. [Figure 28] 1 is a side view seen from the other axial side of the linear slider according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which three-axis support bodies are arranged at both axial ends of the linear slider with different phases (phase shift of about 60 degrees). FIG. [Figure 29] 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows between JJ in FIG. 26. [Figure 30] 1 is a front view of an aspect in which washers are used as spacer members of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] 1 is a side view of an aspect in which washers are used as spacer members of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32] 1 is a rear view of an aspect in which washers are used as spacer members of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 33] 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows between G and G in FIG. 30. [Figure 34] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a rail member to which a linear bushing of the prior art corresponds. [Figure 35] 2A and 2B are diagrams showing rail members to which the linear slider according to the first embodiment of the present invention corresponds. [Figure 36] 1 is a diagram illustrating a prior art linear bushing rotating around a rail member. [Figure 37] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a state in which the linear slider according to the first embodiment of the present invention does not rotate around the rail member. [Figure 38] FIG. 1 illustrates how a prior art linear bushing does not move along a curved track of a rail member. [Figure 39] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating how a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention moves along a curved track of a rail member. [Figure 40] 1 is a perspective view of a linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention moving along a curved track of a rail member. [Figure 41] FIG. 4 is a front view of a linear slider according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 42] FIG. 10 is a side view of a linear slider according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 43] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the linear slider according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 44] 42 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows between BB in FIG. 41. [Figure 45] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating a method for processing a workpiece using a linear slider according to each embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A linear slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] 1 to 4, the linear slider 10 of the first embodiment includes a linear slider body 12, which is, for example, a cylindrical housing as a whole. The linear slider body 12 is formed of, for example, metal, ceramic, composite material, or various resin materials. The linear slider body 12 may be processed using a lathe or the like, or may be formed by combining a plurality of parts as appropriate.

[0018] A raceway hole 14 for inserting a rail member R (see, for example, FIG. 40) having a circular or angular shape in cross section is formed in the center of the cross section of the linear slider body 12. Furthermore, on the radial outside of the raceway hole 14 of the linear slider body 12, accommodation spaces 16 for accommodating the three-axis support bodies 18 are formed.

[0019] The three-axis support body 18 refers to a support body having three shafts. In detail, the three-axis support body 18 is provided in the accommodation space portion 16 formed inside the linear slider body 12, and has three flexible shafts 20 (see FIG. 4, for example) that extend at a predetermined angle to each other, bearing holes 22 that support both ends of each shaft 20, and ball bearings 24 that are arranged on the axis of each shaft, are rotatable around the axis of the shaft 20, and come into contact with the rail member R.

[0020] The three-axis support body 18 is one embodiment of the "support body" of the present invention.

[0021] The shaft 20 is formed of, for example, metal, ceramic, composite material, or various resin materials. In particular, the shaft 20 is preferably an elastic body such as piano wire, stainless steel rod, or composite material such as FRP. The shaft 20 is, for example, a rod-shaped member that has a predetermined flexibility and extends in a cylindrical shape with a predetermined axial length. The shaft 20 is fixed. Three shafts 20 are provided, but the number is not limited to three.

[0022] Adjacent shafts 20 have an open structure with, for example, a predetermined inclination angle. In this embodiment, the inclination angle between adjacent shafts 20 is approximately 60 degrees, and the three shafts 20 form an equilateral triangle in plan view. The inclination angle between adjacent shafts 20 is not limited to approximately 60 degrees, and may be configured to change depending on the number of shafts 20, etc.

[0023] The shaft 20 is one aspect of the "shaft member" of the present invention.

[0024] The bearing hole 22 is an opening or through-hole formed in the wall of the accommodation space 16. The bearing hole 22 has the function of inserting and supporting both ends of the shaft 20. The bearing hole 22 may be configured by preparing a bearing as a separate member and installing it in the accommodation space 16.

[0025] The bearing hole 22 is one aspect of the "bearing member" of the present invention, regardless of whether or not a separate member is provided.

[0026] The ball bearing 24 is disposed on the outer periphery of the shaft 20 and is configured to be rotatable around the axis of the shaft 20. The ball bearing 24 is formed in an annular shape and is capable of contacting one side surface of the rail member R. The outer periphery of the ball bearing 24 may be a flat surface or a curved surface curved with a predetermined curvature. The contact portion between the ball bearing 24 and the rail member R may be point contact or surface contact. The configuration is not limited to one ball bearing 24 disposed on one shaft 20, and two or more ball bearings may be disposed in parallel.

[0027] The ball bearing 24 is one aspect of the "rotating member" of the present invention.

[0028] In addition to the ball bearing 24, various rolling bearings such as a cylindrical roller bearing and a one-way clutch may be used as the rotating member.

[0029] Here, the relative structural relationship between the shaft 20 and the ball bearing 24 is such that the shaft 20 extends a predetermined length along a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the ball bearing 24 (i.e., the axial direction of the shaft 20). The reason for this is that when pressure from the rail member R held by the ball bearing 24 acts on the ball bearing 24, the pressure is transmitted from the ball bearing 24 to the shaft 20, and the shaft 20 can be deflected to absorb the pressure. In order to absorb the high pressure transmitted to the shaft 20, the shaft 20 needs to be able to deflect and maintain a sufficient amount of deflection. To achieve this, the shaft 20 is provided with a length that extends a predetermined distance from both axial ends of the ball bearing 24. As a result, when the linear slider 10 moves on the rail member R, it can slide smoothly on either a straight or curved trajectory.

[0030] Here, the formula for calculating the amount of deflection is shown. The deflection δ when a load W acts on the axial center of a beam with length L and second moment of area I can be calculated using the following formula, where E is the modulus of longitudinal elasticity (Young's modulus). δ=WL 3 / 48EI Therefore, the amount of deflection is proportional to the cube of the length of the beam. In consideration of this property, a predetermined gap 26 is provided on each side of the ball bearing 24 in the axial direction in order to increase the axial length of the shaft 20. Then, pressure from the rail member R is transmitted to the shaft 20 via the ball bearing 24. At this time, since the ball bearing 24 is located in the axial center of the shaft 20, it can be considered that the load acts on the axial center of the beam.

[0031] As a result, a predetermined gap 26 is formed at each of the portions located on both axial sides of the ball bearing 24. For this reason, it is necessary to position the ball bearing 24 so that it does not move along the axial direction of the shaft 20.

[0032] Therefore, spacers 28 are provided in predetermined gaps 26 formed on the axis of shaft 20 to position ball bearings 24 on shaft 20. The predetermined gaps 26 can be filled by arranging spacers 28 of a predetermined axial length, and ball bearing 24 is positioned by being sandwiched between spacers 28 provided on both axial sides of ball bearing 24. As a result, ball bearing 24 is fixed on the axis of shaft 20. The radial dimension of spacer 28 is set to be smaller than the radial dimension of ball bearing 24, for example.

[0033] The spacer 28 is formed of, for example, metal, ceramic, composite material, various resin materials, etc. The spacer 28 is an annular member.

[0034] As the spacer 28, for example, an existing washer 42 may be used as shown in FIGS.

[0035] The spacer 28 is one aspect of the "spacer member" of the present invention.

[0036] 5 to 7, shaft insertion holes 30 for inserting the shafts 20 are formed inside the linear slider body 12. A number of shaft insertion holes 30 corresponding to each shaft 20 are formed. The shaft insertion holes 30 open to the outer surface of the linear slider body 12 so that the shafts 20 can be inserted. The shaft insertion holes 30 open to the inner surface of the linear slider body 12 to form bearing holes 22 so that both ends of the shafts 20 can be supported.

[0037] 5, a set screw hole 34 is formed in the cross section of the linear slider body 12, into which a set screw 32 can be inserted to prevent the shaft 20 from coming out. Therefore, when the shaft 20 is inserted through the shaft insertion hole 30 and reaches a predetermined position, the set screw 32 is inserted into the set screw hole 34, and the end of the shaft 20 comes into contact with the set screw 32, thereby positioning the shaft 20.

[0038] When the rail member R is inserted into the raceway hole 14 of the linear slider body 12, the rail member R penetrates the raceway hole 14 and is positioned in a holding space 36 surrounded by the outer surfaces of the three ball bearings 24. In the holding space 36, the outer surface of the rail member R is supported by the three ball bearings 24. The contact between the outer surface of the rail member R and the ball bearings 24 is point contact or surface contact, but in this embodiment, the outer surface of the ball bearings 24 is flat and the cross-sectional shape of the rail member R is hexagonal, so they are in surface contact with each other. Furthermore, the rail member R is held by the ball bearings 24 with the circular center of the raceway hole 14 and the cross-sectional center of the rail member R approximately aligned. In this state, the linear slider 10 is able to move on the axis of the rail member R.

[0039] 8 to 12, the linear slider main body 12 may be provided with a cutout portion 38 formed radially inward from the outer circumferential surface. The cutout portion 38 communicates with the retaining space portion 36. This allows the rail member R to be guided into the retaining space portion 36 through the cutout portion 38, improving the degree of freedom in mounting the linear slider 12 to the rail member R.

[0040] It is preferable that the size of the cutout portion 38 be adjusted appropriately depending on the sizes of the linear slider 10 and the rail member R.

[0041] 13 to 17, the linear slider body 12 may be provided with an adjustment member 40 that contacts the vicinity of the end of the shaft 20 to adjust the clamping of the shaft 20 by the ball bearing 27. The tip of the adjustment member 40 is tapered and contacts the outer surface of the shaft 20. When pressure is applied to the ball bearing 24 from the rail member R, the deflection of the shaft 20 can be adjusted by the positional relationship between the shaft 20 and the adjustment member 40. It is preferable that an adjustment member 40 is provided corresponding to all of the shafts 20. However, one adjustment member 40 may be provided corresponding to at least one shaft 20.

[0042] As shown in Figures 18 to 21, the linear slider 10 may be configured to have a plurality of three-axis support bodies 18. For example, a three-axis support body 18 may be disposed at each of both axial ends of a columnar or cylindrical linear slider body 12. Figures 18 to 21 show a configuration in which one three-axis support body 18 is disposed in the same phase at each of both axial ends of the linear slider 10.

[0043] 22 to 29, one triaxial support body 18 may be disposed at each end of the linear slider 10 in a different phase from each other. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 22 to 29, the same phase of one triaxial support body 18 is rotated approximately 60 degrees relative to the other triaxial support body 18.

[0044] 30 to 33, a washer 42 may be used as an example of the spacer 28. The washer 42 is an existing item and is annular, but its axial length is shorter than that of the spacer 28 shown in Fig. 1 etc., thereby enabling the linear slider 10 to be made smaller. Even when the washer 42 is used, it is possible to promote bending of the shaft 20, albeit slightly, based on the same principle, thereby smoothing the movement of the linear slider 10 on the axis of the rail member R.

[0045] Next, the operation of the linear slider 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0046] (Comparison of this embodiment with the prior art) The present embodiment will be described in comparison with the prior art. As shown in Fig. 34, a linear slider 44 of the prior art can move on the axis of a rail member R having a circular cross-sectional shape, but cannot move on the axis of a rail member R having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. In contrast, as shown in Fig. 35, the linear slider 10 of this embodiment can hold both rail members R having a circular or rectangular cross-sectional shape, and can move on the axis of the rail member R just like a monorail.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 36, a linear slider 44 of the prior art can move on the axis of a rail member R having a circular cross section, but has the drawback of rotating along the outer circumferential surface of the rail member R. In this case, when cutting is performed on the rail member R as a workpiece, the workpiece cannot be securely fixed so as not to rotate, which adversely affects the cutting. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 37, the linear slider 10 of this embodiment can hold a rail member R having a square cross section, so that the linear slider 10 does not rotate on the rail member R. By applying this, if the linear slider 10 of this embodiment can securely hold the workpiece in an unrotatable state, the accuracy of cutting the workpiece can be improved.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 38 , a linear slider 44 of the prior art could not move along a curved trajectory of a rail member R. This is because, in the linear slider 44 of the prior art, there is no separation distance between the through hole of the linear slider and the rail member R, causing the rail member R to contact and interfere with the inner wall of the linear slider at curved portions of the rail member R. In contrast, in the linear slider 10 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 37 and other figures, the ball bearings 24 hold the outer surface of the rail member R, and the axial length of the shaft 20 is increased by the amount of the predetermined gap 26 formed between the inner wall of the linear slider main body 12 and the rail member R. Furthermore, the shaft 20 is flexibly deformed by a predetermined amount due to the pressure received from the rail member R. This prevents contact or interference between the inner wall of the accommodation space 16 of the linear slider main body 12 and the rail member R. As a result, the linear slider 10 of this embodiment can move smoothly along the curved trajectory of the rail member R, as shown in FIG. 39 .

[0049] Next, a linear slider according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same components as those of the linear slider according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. Furthermore, the same effects as those of the linear slider according to the first embodiment will also be omitted.

[0050] 41 to 44, the linear slider 10 of the second embodiment includes a linear slider body 12, which is, for example, a cylindrical housing as a whole. The linear slider body 12 is formed of, for example, metal, ceramic, composite material, or various resin materials. The linear slider body 12 may be formed by processing using a lathe or the like.

[0051] A raceway hole 14 for inserting a rail member R having a circular or angular shape in cross section is formed in the center of the cross section of the linear slider body 12. Furthermore, on the radial outside of the raceway hole 14 of the linear slider body 12, accommodation spaces 16 for accommodating the four-axis support bodies 46 are formed.

[0052] The four-axis support body 46 refers to a support body having four shafts 20. In detail, the four-axis support body 46 is provided in the accommodation space portion 16 formed inside the linear slider body 12, and has four flexible shafts 20 extending at a predetermined angle to each other, bearing holes 22 supporting both ends of each shaft 20, and ball bearings 24 arranged on the axis of each shaft, rotatable around the axis of the shaft 20, and in contact with the rail member R.

[0053] The four-axis support body 46 is one embodiment of the "support body" of the present invention.

[0054] The shaft 20 is formed of, for example, metal, ceramic, composite material, or various resin materials. In particular, the shaft 20 is preferably an elastic body such as piano wire, stainless steel rod, or composite material such as FRP. The shaft 20 is, for example, a rod-shaped member that has a predetermined flexibility and extends in a cylindrical shape with a predetermined axial length. The shaft 20 is fixed. Four shafts 20 are provided, but the number is not limited to four.

[0055] Adjacent shafts 20 have an open structure with, for example, a predetermined inclination angle. In this embodiment, the inclination angle between adjacent shafts 20 is approximately 90 degrees, and the four shafts 20 form a square in plan view. The inclination angle between adjacent shafts 20 is not limited to approximately 90 degrees, and may be configured to change depending on the number of shafts 20, etc.

[0056] The shaft 20 is one aspect of the "shaft member" of the present invention.

[0057] The bearing hole 22 is an opening or through-hole formed in the wall of the accommodation space 16. The bearing hole 22 has the function of inserting and supporting both ends of the shaft 20. The bearing hole 22 may be configured by preparing a bearing as a separate member and installing it in the accommodation space 16.

[0058] The bearing hole 22 is one aspect of the "bearing member" of the present invention, regardless of whether or not a separate member is provided.

[0059] The ball bearing 24 is disposed on the outer periphery of the shaft 20 and is configured to be rotatable around the axis of the shaft 20. The ball bearing 24 is formed in an annular shape and is capable of contacting one side surface of the rail member R. The outer periphery of the ball bearing 24 may be a flat surface or a curved surface curved with a predetermined curvature. The contact portion between the ball bearing 24 and the rail member R may be point contact or surface contact. The configuration is not limited to one ball bearing 24 disposed on one shaft 20, and two or more ball bearings may be disposed in parallel.

[0060] The ball bearing 24 is one aspect of the "rotating member" of the present invention.

[0061] In addition to the ball bearing 24, various rolling bearings such as a cylindrical roller bearing and a one-way clutch may be used as the rotating member.

[0062] Here, the relative structural relationship between the shaft 20 and the ball bearing 24 is such that the shaft 20 extends a predetermined length along a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the ball bearing 24 (i.e., the axial direction of the shaft 20). The reason for this is that when pressure from the rail member R held by the ball bearing 24 acts on the ball bearing 24, the pressure is transmitted from the ball bearing 24 to the shaft 20, and the shaft 20 can be deflected to absorb the pressure. In order to absorb the high pressure transmitted to the shaft 20, the shaft 20 needs to be able to deflect and maintain a sufficient amount of deflection. To achieve this, the shaft 20 is provided with a length that extends a predetermined distance from both axial ends of the ball bearing 24. As a result, when the linear slider 10 moves on the rail member R, it can slide smoothly on either a straight or curved trajectory.

[0063] As a result, a predetermined gap 26 is formed at each of the portions located on both axial sides of the ball bearing 24. For this reason, it is necessary to position the ball bearing 24 so that it does not move along the axial direction of the shaft 20.

[0064] Therefore, spacers 28 are provided in predetermined gaps 26 formed on the axis of shaft 20 to position ball bearings 24 on shaft 20. The predetermined gaps 26 can be filled by arranging spacers 28 of a predetermined axial length, and ball bearing 24 is positioned by being sandwiched between spacers 28 provided on both axial sides of ball bearing 24. As a result, ball bearing 24 is fixed on the axis of shaft 20. The radial dimension of spacer 28 is set to be smaller than the radial dimension of ball bearing 24, for example.

[0065] The spacer 28 is formed of, for example, metal, ceramic, composite material, various resin materials, etc. The spacer 28 is an annular member.

[0066] As the spacer 28, for example, an existing washer 42 may be used as shown in FIGS.

[0067] The spacer 28 is one aspect of the "spacer member" of the present invention.

[0068] According to the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, it can be used with rail members other than those with a circular cross-sectional shape or a dedicated rail member, and smooth movement can be achieved not only in a linear motion but also on a curved track.

[0069] In addition, according to the linear slider 10 of the first and second embodiments, a three-axis support body 18 or a four-axis support body 46 using three or four shafts has been exemplified, but this is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a support body having multiple shafts, such as a two-axis support body or a five-axis support body.

[0070] Next, a method for processing a workpiece using a linear slider according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0071] The method for processing a workpiece using the linear slider of the third embodiment is a method in which the workpiece is a rail member R formed in an angular shape in cross section, and the workpiece is processed using a tool while being fixed so that it cannot rotate by the ball bearing 24 of the linear slider 10 of the first or second embodiment.

[0072] For example, as shown in Fig. 45, a housing ball bearing 48 is disposed on the radially outer side of the linear slider 10, and the linear slider 10 is fixed to the housing ball bearing 48 with a retaining ring 50. The ball bearing 24 of the linear slider 10 holds not a rail member but a workpiece W, which is a workpiece to be machined and has a polygonal cross section. This allows the workpiece W to be firmly held by the linear slider 10 so that it cannot rotate. In this state, the workpiece W may be machined with a cutting tool, a turning tool 52, to form it into a circular cross section.

[0073] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely examples embodying the technical concept of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but includes all aspects utilizing the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10 Linear Slider 12 Linear slider body 14 Raceway hole 16 Storage space 18 3-axis support body (support body) 20 Shaft (shaft member) 22 Bearing hole (bearing member) 24 Ball bearings (rotating parts) 26 Prescribed gap 28 Spacer (spacer member) 30 Shaft insertion hole 32 Set screw 34 Setscrew hole 36 Holding space 38 Cutout 40 Adjustment member 42 Washer 44 Linear slider (conventional technology) 46 4-axis support body (support body) 48 Housing ball bearings 50 retaining ring 52 bytes R rail member W Workpiece (workpiece)

Claims

1. A linear slider that is movable on a rail member, a linear slider body that serves as a housing; a support body provided on the linear slider body and supporting the rail member; and The support body is a plurality of flexible shaft members provided on the linear slider body and extending apart from each other by a predetermined angle; bearing members for supporting both ends of the shaft member; a rotating member disposed on the axis of the shaft member, rotatable around the axis of the shaft member, and in contact with the rail member; and A linear slider in which the shaft member is extended in the axial direction to provide a predetermined gap between the rotating member and the bearing member, thereby promoting a predetermined bending deformation of the shaft member, and the rotating member is positioned by providing a spacer member in the predetermined gap.

2. A linear slider that is movable on a rail member, a linear slider body that serves as a housing; a three-axis support body provided on the linear slider body and supporting the rail member; and The three-axis support body is Three flexible shaft members provided on the linear slider body and extending at a predetermined angle to each other; bearing members for supporting both ends of the shaft member; a rotating member disposed on the axis of the shaft member, rotatable around the axis of the shaft member, and in contact with the rail member; and A linear slider in which the shaft member is extended in the axial direction to provide a predetermined gap between the rotating member and the bearing member, thereby promoting a predetermined bending deformation of the shaft member, and the rotating member is positioned by providing a spacer member in the predetermined gap.

3. A linear slider that is movable on a rail member, a linear slider body that serves as a housing; a four-axis support body provided on the linear slider body and supporting the rail member; and The four-axis support body is four flexible shaft members provided on the linear slider body and extending perpendicular to each other; bearing members for supporting both ends of the shaft member; a rotating member disposed on the axis of the shaft member, rotatable around the axis of the shaft member, and in contact with the rail member; and A linear slider in which the shaft member is extended in the axial direction to provide a predetermined gap between the rotating member and the bearing member, thereby promoting a predetermined bending deformation of the shaft member, and the rotating member is positioned by providing a spacer member in the predetermined gap.

4. 4. The linear slider according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the support body, the three-axis support body, and the four-axis support body is provided at each of both axial ends of the linear slider body.

5. 4. The linear slider according to claim 1, wherein the spacer member is a washer.

6. 4. The linear slider according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member is one of a ball bearing, a cylindrical roller bearing, and a one-way clutch.

7. A method for processing a workpiece using the linear slider according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: the rail member is a workpiece formed to have an angular cross-sectional shape, A method for processing a workpiece, the method comprising processing the workpiece in a state where the workpiece is fixed so as not to be rotatable by the rotating member of the linear slider.

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