Ball arranging device for single row deep groove ball bearing

Abstract

To quickly and reasonably arrange balls at equal intervals while reducing running cost with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A ball arranging apparatus for a bearing includes a set table 10 for setting an unarranged bearing 1 ' having a plurality of balls 5 in a ball rolling gap 4 provided between an inner ring 2 and an outer ring 3 at a fixed position, a rotating body 20 for moving the balls 5 of the unarranged bearing 1 ' along the ball rolling gap 4 while rotating the balls 5, and a rotating mechanism 30 for rotating the rotating body 20. The rotary body 20 has an outer peripheral rolling circle 22 for moving the ball 5 along the ball rolling clearance 4, and a ball contact area 23 of the outer peripheral rolling circle 22 is arranged in a vertical position for guiding the guided ball 5 to the arranging recessed part 14 by contacting with the ball of the horizontal part 13 without discharging the ball from the arranging recessed part 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a ball arrangement device for a single-row deep groove ball bearing (bearing) that arranges balls of the single-row deep groove ball bearing (bearing) evenly between an inner ring and an outer ring. [Background technology]

[0002] A ball bearing has multiple balls evenly spaced in the ring-shaped gap between the inner and outer rings. The balls are held at equal intervals by a cage or similar device. This ball bearing requires that a specified number of balls be placed between the inner and outer rings, and that the balls be arranged evenly. With the balls evenly spaced, a cage or similar device is placed between the inner and outer rings to hold the balls at equal intervals. Therefore, the balls must be evenly spaced during the assembly process.

[0003] The ball arrangement device 900 shown in FIG. 12 reciprocates a comb 940, which connects multiple gap adjustment rods 941 in a ring shape. The comb 940 gradually increases the length of the ring-shaped connected gap adjustment rods 941, and inserts them into the ball rolling gaps 904 in order, starting with the longest gap adjustment rods 941, to evenly arrange the balls 905. In this ball arrangement device 900, as the number of balls 905 to be placed in the ball rolling gaps 904 increases, the number of gap adjustment rods 941 of the comb 940 must be increased. Because the difference in length between the gap adjustment rods 941 and adjacent gap adjustment rods 941 is set to approximately the diameter of the balls 905, as the number of gap adjustment rods increases, the difference in overall length between the long and short gap adjustment rods 941 increases. Therefore, when the short gap adjustment rods 941 are inserted into the ball rolling gaps 904 in order, starting with the longest gap adjustment rods 941, to evenly arrange all the balls 905, the stroke of the comb 940 becomes larger. Furthermore, in order to insert the cage between the evenly spaced balls 905, the stroke required to remove all of the gap adjustment rods 941 of the comb 940 from between the balls 905 is also large. That is, the stroke required to insert and remove the gap adjustment rods 941 of the comb 940 into and from the ball rolling gap 904 is large, which is a drawback as it makes it difficult to insert and remove them quickly in a short period of time. This results in a longer tact time required to uniformly space the balls 905 of one bearing. To overcome this drawback, if the gap adjustment rods 941 are inserted into the ball rolling gap 904 at high speed, it becomes difficult to uniformly space all of the balls 905. Furthermore, if the balls 905 are removed from the ball rolling gap 904 at high speed, the impact of the removal will cause the balls 905 to move, resulting in an uneven arrangement. Another drawback is that inserting and removing the comb 940 at high speed will cause the gap adjustment rods 941 to rub against and scratch the balls 905.

[0004] As a ball arrangement device that overcomes such drawbacks, a device has been developed that radiates air (gas, air) into the ball rolling gap to make the balls uniform (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-241458 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-161926 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The above-mentioned ball arrangement devices use air flow to position the balls in fixed positions, resulting in a complex structure and high equipment costs. Furthermore, because they continuously consume large amounts of air, the compressor that supplies the pressurized air consumes a lot of power, resulting in high running costs.

[0007] The present disclosure has been developed with the objective of solving the above-mentioned drawbacks of conventional devices. One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a bearing ball arrangement device that has a simple structure, reduces running costs, and can quickly arrange balls in their fixed positions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A ball arrangement device for a bearing according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes all of the following configurations (a) to (k). (a) A plurality of balls are placed in a ball rolling gap between an inner ring and an outer ring. a setting table on which unaligned bearings are placed in a horizontal position; The balls of the unaligned bearings on the set table a rotating body that rolls along the ball rolling gap; and a rotation mechanism that rotates the rotating body. (b) The set table is The balls are arranged in a convex shape and inserted into the lower part of the ball rolling gap. (c) The convex arrangement has ball rolling paths on the upper surface. (d) The ball rolling path is a horizontal portion where the ball rolls horizontally; The ball rolls in from the horizontal section, a plurality of arranged recesses into which a rolling ball is pushed out by a next rolling ball; A horizontal portion of a certain length is disposed between adjacent array recesses. (e) A rotating body is It has an outer rolling circle that contacts the surface of the ball in the ball rolling path and causes the ball to roll. (f) The outer rolling circle is Insert into the ball rolling gap, The area where the ball rolls from the horizontal portion to the arrangement recess is defined as the ball contact area. (g) The rotation mechanism is a rotation mechanism that rotates the rotor; and a revolution mechanism for revolving the rotor around the unaligned bearing. (h) The rotation mechanism is The rotor is rotated with the central axis of the rotor as the driven axis, The revolution mechanism is The central axis of the unaligned bearing is the main rotation axis, and The main rotating shaft and the driven rotating shaft are kept at a constant crossing angle (α), The driven shaft is rotated about the main shaft relative to the unaligned bearing. (i) The rotating body is It is rotated by the rotation mechanism, The ball on the horizontal section rolls in the ball contact area. (j) A rotating body is It revolves around the orbital mechanism, The ball contact area of ​​the rotating body moves along the ball rolling gap. (k) A rotating body is It is rotated by the rotation mechanism, The balls in the horizontal section roll into the recessed arrangement. It revolves around the orbital mechanism, The ball contact area moves along the ball rolling path, Each ball in the ball rolling gap is guided into the alignment recess and placed in a fixed position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The above-described bearing ball arrangement device has the advantage of being simple in structure, reducing running costs, and being able to quickly arrange the balls in their designated positions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a ball arrangement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the ball arrangement device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the ball arrangement device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing how an unaligned bearing is set on a setting table. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a rotating body arranged above an unaligned bearing set on a setting table. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing how the rotating body starts arranging the balls in the ball rolling gap. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the principle by which the ball contact area comes into contact with the ball and guides the ball into the array recess. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the rotating body is raised to an upper position after the balls are aligned. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the bearing after ball arrangement. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a ball arrangement device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a ball arrangement device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a comb used in a conventional ball arrangement device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be specified by the following configurations and features. A ball arrangement device for a bearing according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has all of the following configurations (a) to (j). (a) A plurality of balls are placed in a ball rolling gap between an inner ring and an outer ring. a setting table on which unaligned bearings are placed in a horizontal position; The balls of the unaligned bearings on the set table a rotating body that rolls along the ball rolling gap; and a rotation mechanism that rotates the rotating body. (b) The set table is The balls are arranged in a convex shape and inserted into the lower part of the ball rolling gap. (c) The convex arrangement has ball rolling paths on the upper surface. (d) The ball rolling path is a horizontal portion where the ball rolls horizontally; The ball rolls in from the horizontal section, a plurality of arranged recesses into which a rolling ball is pushed out by a next rolling ball; A horizontal portion of a certain length is disposed between adjacent array recesses. (e) A rotating body is It has an outer rolling circle that contacts the surface of the ball in the ball rolling path and causes the ball to roll. (f) The outer rolling circle is Insert into the ball rolling gap, The area where the ball rolls from the horizontal portion to the arrangement recess is defined as the ball contact area. (g) The rotation mechanism is a rotation mechanism that rotates the rotor; and a revolution mechanism for revolving the rotor around the unaligned bearing. (h) The rotation mechanism is The rotor is rotated with the central axis of the rotor as the driven axis, The revolution mechanism is The central axis of the unaligned bearing is the main rotation axis, and The main rotating shaft and the driven rotating shaft are kept at a constant crossing angle (α), The driven shaft is rotated about the main shaft relative to the unaligned bearing. (i) The rotating body is It is rotated by the rotation mechanism, The ball on the horizontal section rolls in the ball contact area. (j) A rotating body is It revolves around the orbital mechanism, The ball contact area of ​​the rotating body moves along the ball rolling gap. (k) A rotating body is It is rotated by the rotation mechanism, The balls in the horizontal section roll into the recessed arrangement. It revolves around the orbital mechanism, The ball contact area moves along the ball rolling path, Each ball in the ball rolling gap is guided into the alignment recess and placed in a fixed position.

[0012] The above configuration does not require the use of compressed air, allowing for an extremely simple structure, reduced equipment costs, power consumption, and running costs, and is characterized by the ability to quickly and efficiently position balls. This configuration is possible because the outer peripheral rolling circle of the rotating body locally contacts the ball surface with the ball contact area, guiding the ball from the horizontal section to the arrangement recess. With this configuration, the ball contact area of ​​the rotating body can quickly and smoothly roll and transport the balls on the horizontal section with only slight contact, guiding them into the arrangement recess while preventing damage to the balls. With this configuration, the ball contact area of ​​the rotating body, which revolves while rotating, moves along the ball rolling gap of the non-arranged bearing, reliably guiding all balls into their respective arrangement recesses. Furthermore, there is no need to bias the balls, and contact between the ball contact area can begin with any ball without specifying the starting position or arrangement state of the balls. Even in a random arrangement state, the ball contact area moves along the ball rolling gap, allowing balls to be quickly, easily, and reliably positioned in their designated positions. The above configuration has the advantage of being able to shorten the takt time and increase the amount of alignment of the balls of the unaligned bearing per unit time. As illustrated in the schematic diagrams of Figures 7A to 7E, the above configuration allows the ball contact area 23 of the rotating body 20, which revolves while rotating, to evenly align the balls 5 of the unaligned bearing 1'. The examples of Figures 7A to 7E simplify and make easier to understand the state in which the balls 5 are aligned, with four balls A, B, C, and D guided into alignment recesses a, b, c, and d.

[0013] In addition to the above aspects, a ball arrangement device for a bearing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure can include a pressing mechanism that brings the ball contact area into contact with the surface of the ball at a predetermined pressure. The above configuration has the advantage that the inclusion of a pressing mechanism allows the ball to be quickly and effortlessly positioned in its fixed position while reducing running costs with a simple structure. The pressing mechanism can bring the ball contact area into contact with the surface of the ball at a pressure that allows the ball to roll and be transported without applying excessive stress to the ball and without damaging it, allowing the ball to be positioned in its fixed position more efficiently, stably, and reliably.

[0014] In addition to any of the above aspects, a ball arrangement device for a bearing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure has a pressing mechanism that includes a vertical movement mechanism for the rotation mechanism, and the vertical movement mechanism can bring the ball contact area into contact with the surface of the ball by gravity. The above configuration has the advantage that the vertical movement mechanism that moves the rotation mechanism up and down utilizes the gravity of the rotation mechanism, thereby enabling the balls to be quickly and effortlessly arranged in their fixed positions while reducing equipment costs and running costs with a simple structure.

[0015] In addition to any of the above aspects, a bearing ball alignment device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure has a setting table that includes a fitting groove for aligning an unaligned bearing in a fixed position, and the unaligned bearing can be guided into the fitting groove to align the unaligned bearing in the fixed position on the setting table. The above configuration has the advantage that the unaligned bearing can be aligned in the fixed position by aligning the ball, and the ball can be aligned in the fixed position with a simple structure and reduced running costs.

[0016] In addition to any of the above aspects, a ball arrangement device for a bearing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure can include a ring convex portion on the rotating body that is guided in the ball rolling gap and rolls the balls on the outer peripheral rolling circle. The above configuration has the advantage of being able to quickly position the balls in their fixed positions while reducing running costs with a simple structure. This is because the ring convex portion with the outer peripheral rolling circle rotates, and the ball contact area of ​​the outer peripheral rolling circle advances, allowing the balls in the ball rolling gap to roll and be guided into the arrangement recess.

[0017] In addition to any of the above aspects, a ball arrangement device for a bearing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure can include a rotation motor that rotates the rotor and a revolution motor that revolves the rotor. The above configuration has the advantage of being able to quickly arrange the balls in their designated positions while reducing running costs with a simple structure. This is because the rotation motor and the revolution motor rotate the rotor while revolving it, allowing the balls in the ball rolling gap to roll and be guided into the arrangement recesses.

[0018] In addition to any of the above aspects, a ball array device for a bearing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure can be configured such that the peripheral speed of the outer rolling circle on which the rotating body rotates can be made faster than the speed at which the ball contact area moves along the ball rolling gap as the rotating body revolves. The above configuration is characterized by its simple structure, reduced running costs, and the ability to quickly position balls in their designated positions. The above configuration allows the ball contact area to move and advance in the direction of rotation, contacting the surface of the ball and rolling the ball in the feed direction. Therefore, the rotation, which has a faster peripheral speed than the rotation of the rotating body, can more effectively promote the rolling and transfer of the balls. Furthermore, slight contact of the ball contact area with the balls allows the balls in the horizontal section to be quickly rolled and transferred, and the balls can be guided into the array recesses while preventing damage to the balls. Furthermore, the balls can be easily and reliably positioned in their designated positions while shortening the takt time.

[0019] In addition to any of the above aspects, a ball array device for a bearing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure has a rotation mechanism that performs a grinding motion on the rotor, and the grinding motion mechanism revolves around the rotor while rotating on its axis, guiding the balls to each array recess. The above configuration has the advantage of being able to quickly and effortlessly position the balls in their designated positions while reducing running costs with a simple structure. This is because the grinding motion of the rotor, in which the rotor rotates around its axis and revolves, moves, advances, and displaces the ball contact area in the ball rolling direction, promoting the rolling and transport of the balls and enabling reliable and smooth ball guidance. In the above configuration, the ball contact area moves with the rotation of the rotor, transporting and rolling the balls in the rotational direction (moving direction), so the rotational direction of the rotor, the moving direction of the ball contact area, and the transport and rolling direction of the balls are the same.

[0020] In addition to any of the above aspects, a bearing ball arrangement device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a base frame to which a set table is connected, and the miso grater rotation mechanism can include all of the following configurations (l) to (p): (l) The miso paste rotating mechanism is a spindle housing connected to the base frame so as to be vertically movable; a main rotating shaft disposed in a vertical position in a main shaft housing via a bearing; It is fixed to the bottom of the main rotating shaft, a driven shaft housing that is rotated in a horizontal plane by the rotation of the main rotating shaft; a driven rotating shaft connected to a driven shaft housing via a bearing; and a motor that rotates the main rotary shaft. (m) The spindle housing is A drive gear is fixed around the main rotating shaft. (n) The driven shaft housing is The driven rotating shaft is fixed to the main rotating shaft in such a position that the main rotating shaft and the driven rotating shaft form a predetermined crossing angle (α). (o) The driven rotating shaft is The driven gear that meshes with the drive gear is fixed to the upper side, The lower end is fixed to the center of the rotor. (p) The main rotating shaft is rotated by the motor, The rotating main shaft rotates the driven shaft housing in a horizontal plane, A driven shaft housing that rotates in a horizontal plane is The driven gear meshes with the drive gear fixed to the main shaft housing, rotating the driven rotating shaft. The driven gear rotates the rotor via the driven rotation shaft, A driven shaft housing that rotates around a main rotation shaft, The rotor revolves around the body, causing it to grind like a paste.

[0021] The above configuration has the advantage of being simple, reducing running costs, and being able to quickly and effortlessly place balls in their designated positions.The above configuration involves a driven rotating shaft, which is inclined, rotating around a vertically oriented main rotating shaft while revolving around the main rotating shaft, and a rotor connected to the driven rotating shaft performs a grinding motion together with the driven rotating shaft, so that the rotor is inclined relative to the unaligned bearing and moves along the ball rolling path while some of the ball contact area of ​​the rotor moves, advances, and displaces in the ball transfer direction, promoting the rolling and transfer of the balls and guiding them reliably and smoothly.

[0022] In addition to any of the above, a ball arrangement device for a bearing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure can set the crossing angle (α) of the driven rotating shaft relative to the main rotating shaft to 5 to 90 degrees. The above configuration has the advantage of being able to quickly and effortlessly arrange balls in their fixed positions while reducing running costs with a simple structure. The above configuration is because the crossing angle (α) of the driven rotating shaft relative to the main rotating shaft determines the inclination angle of the rotating body relative to the unarranged bearing in a horizontal position on the setting table. The rotating body connected to the driven rotating shaft, which rotates at an inclination relative to the main rotating shaft, rotates at an inclination relative to the unarranged bearing, and a portion of the outer circumferential rolling circle of the rotating body becomes a ball contact area, which comes into contact with the surfaces of the balls in the ball rolling gap, allowing the balls to roll in the arrangement recesses.

[0023] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (e.g., "upper," "lower," and other terms including these terms) will be used as necessary. However, the use of these terms is intended to facilitate understanding of the invention with reference to the drawings, and the meanings of these terms do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, parts that appear with the same reference numerals in multiple drawings indicate the same or equivalent parts or components. Furthermore, the embodiments described below exemplify a ball array device for a single-row deep groove ball bearing (bearing) in order to embody the technical concept of the present invention, and the present disclosure in no way specifies or limits the ball array device to the following. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described below are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the content described in one embodiment or example may also be applied to other embodiments or examples. Furthermore, the size and positional relationship of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity. For example, in the schematic diagrams shown in Figures 7A to 7E, the size, shape, length, positional relationship, spacing, distance, size, etc. of the outer rolling circle 22, ball contact area 23, horizontal portion 13, array recesses 14 (a, b, c, d), and balls 5 (A, B, C, D) are exaggerated and simplified for clarity. In this disclosure, rotation includes rotation on its axis and / or revolution. (Embodiment 1)

[0024] 1 to 6 comprises a setting table 10 that sets in a fixed position an unaligned bearing 1' in which multiple balls 5 are not evenly spaced in the ball rolling gap 4 between the inner ring 2 and outer ring 3, a rotating body 20 that moves the balls 5 of the unaligned bearing 1' set on the setting table 10 along the ball rolling gap 4 to arrange them at equal intervals, and a rotation mechanism 30 that revolves the rotating body 20 while rotating on its axis. The unaligned bearing 1' has one or more unguided balls 5 that are not guided in the alignment recess 14. (Set table 10)

[0025] The setting table 10 is equipped with an arrangement convexity 11 that is inserted into the lower part of the ball rolling gap 4 of the unaligned bearing 1', and a fitting groove 15 that positions the unaligned bearing 1' in a fixed position. The setting table 10 shown in Figures 1 and 4 has the arrangement convexity 11 provided as an integral structure, but the arrangement convexity 11 can also be made from a separate member and positioned in the ball rolling gap 4 of the unaligned bearing 1'. The fitting groove 15 sets the unaligned bearing 1' in the fitting structure and positions it in a fixed position in a horizontal position. The setting table 10 in Figures 1 and 4 has inner ring grooves 15A and outer ring grooves 15B that guide the inner ring 2 and outer ring 3 of the bearing 1 into a fitted state, and both the inner ring 2 and outer ring 3 are fitted and inserted into the fitting grooves 15 to position the unaligned bearing 1' in a predetermined position and orientation. However, the ball alignment device 100 of the present disclosure does not necessarily guide both the inner ring 2 and outer ring 3 into the fitting grooves 15, and can also guide either the inner ring 2 or the outer ring 3 into the fitting groove 15 to position the unaligned bearing 1' in a fixed position. Furthermore, the setting table 10 can have any structure that allows the unaligned bearing 1' to be detachable and set in a horizontal orientation. The ball alignment device 100 can set the unaligned bearing 1' on the setting table 10 in a predetermined position and orientation, and evenly arrange and align the balls 5 in predetermined positions. Therefore, there is no need to reposition the balls 5 when attaching the retainer, and the retainer can be easily attached, holding the balls 5 at equal intervals. No repositioning mechanism, sensor, etc. is required.

[0026] The array convexity 11 is formed in a ring shape and can be inserted into the ball rolling gap 4. The array convexity 11 is inserted into the lower part of the ball rolling gap 4 to form a ball rolling path 12 along which the balls 5 can move. The upper surface of the array convexity 11 serves as the ball rolling path 12 along which the balls 5 move. The ball rolling path 12 alternates between horizontal sections 13 along which the balls 5 roll horizontally and recessed and concave array recesses 14, with the same number of array recesses 14 equally spaced apart as the number of balls 5. The horizontal sections 13 have a fixed length, and the array recesses 14 are equally spaced apart. All of the balls 5 are guided into all of the array recesses 14, and all of the balls 5 are arranged at equal intervals. In the non-arranged bearing 1', not all of the balls 5 are guided into the array recesses 14, and one or more balls 5 are present in the horizontal sections 13, resulting in a state in which the balls are partially slightly floating above the fitting grooves 15. The array recess 14 is a depression lower than the horizontal portion 13 into which the balls 5 rolling on the rotating body 20 are guided from the horizontal portion 13 and fall. Figures 7A to 7E illustrate the manner and principle of how the balls 5 are guided from the horizontal portion 13 to the array recess 14. In Figure 7B, balls D and B guided into array recesses d and c are lower than balls C and A on the horizontal portion 13 and do not contact the ball contact area 23 of the rotating body 20. Therefore, ball B does not come into direct contact with the ball contact area 23 of the rotating body 20 and is not ejected from the array recess c. However, ball B placed in array recess c in Figure 7B is pushed out by the next ball C sent from the horizontal portion 13 on the front side (left side in the figure), so ball B in array recess c is replaced by ball C (Figure 7C).

[0027] If the array recess 14 is too shallow, the ball contact area 23 of the rotor 20 will come into contact with the upper surface of the ball 5 guided and placed in the array recess 14, causing the rotor 20 to push out and discharge the ball 5 from the array recess 14; conversely, if the array recess 14 is too deep, the ball 5 that was previously guided cannot be smoothly pushed out by the next ball 5. Therefore, the array recess 14 is shaped so that the ball contact area 23 of the rotor 20 does not discharge the ball 5 in the array recess 14, but the ball 5 that was previously guided into the array recess 14 is pushed out and discharged by the next ball 5 that is transferred and falls into the array recess 14. The depth of the array recess 14 can be set to an optimum value taking into consideration the slope of the corners of the side where the balls 5 fall and the side where they are pushed out, so that the balls 5 can be smoothly pushed out by the next ball 5 if the array recess 14 is shallow, and the slope of the corners of the side where the balls 5 fall in and the side where they are pushed out can be gentler, so that the depth of the array recess 14 can be set to an optimum value taking into consideration the slope of the corners, but is preferably shallower than the radius of the balls 5, for example, the depth of the array recess 14 can be 30% or less, more preferably 20% or less, of the radius of the balls 5. However, because the slope of the discharge side of the array recess 14 where the balls 5 are pushed out can be gentler to smoothly push out the balls 5, the depth of the array recess 14 can also be made deeper than 50% of the radius of the balls 5 by graduating the slope on the discharge side. The arrangement recess 14 illustrated in Figures 7A to 7E can smoothly guide the balls 5 on the horizontal portion 13, and further, the corners on the inlet side and outlet side are made into a curved chamfered shape 16, so that the slope on the outlet side of the arrangement recess 14 becomes gradually gentler, so that the guided balls 5 can be quickly discharged by the next guided ball 5.

[0028] The ball arrangement device 100 in Fig. 1 is equipped with a base frame 17 that connects a setting table 10 to the device body. The setting table 10 is connected to a rotating body 20 and a rotation mechanism 30 via the base frame 17. The base frame 17 can determine the distance between the ball contact area 23 of the rotating body 20 and the ball rolling gap 4 (balls 5) of the unarranged bearing 1' set on the setting table 10, as well as the movable range and lowest position of the ball contact area 23. (rotating body 20, rotation mechanism 30)

[0029] The rotating body 20 moves the balls 5 of the unaligned bearing 1' set on the setting table 10 along the ball rolling gap 4 while rolling. The rotating body 20 revolves while rotating on its axis, transporting the balls 5 along the ball rolling gap 4 and arranging them at equal intervals. The rotating body 20 has an outer peripheral rolling circle 22 that contacts the upper surfaces of the balls 5 in the ball rolling gap 4 and causes the balls to roll. The outer peripheral rolling circle 22 has a ball contact area 23 that causes the balls 5 to roll and advance in the rotational direction from the horizontal portion 13 along the ball rolling gap 4 and transport them to the previous alignment recess 14. The rotating body 20 can be a disk as exemplified in FIGS. 1 to 3, or other shapes such as a columnar, cylindrical, conical, or frustum shape, or a combination of any of these. For example, the rotating body 20 can be a shape that has a circular (annular) outer shape in cross section, such as a cylinder, cone, truncated cone, or column. The rotating body 20 has an outer peripheral rolling circle 22 that is inserted into the ball rolling gap 4 and contacts the surface of the ball 5, causing the ball 5 to roll. The outer periphery of the rotating body 20 comes into contact with the outer peripheral rolling circle 22, causing the ball 5 to roll. The rotating body 20 has a ring convexity 21, a portion of which is guided into the ball rolling gap 4 and causes the ball 5 to roll. The rotating body 20 in FIG. 1 has a ring convexity 21 that protrudes downward along the outer periphery of the disk, and the lower surface of the ring convexity 21 forms the outer peripheral rolling circle 22. The rotating body 20 is arranged so that the vertical position of the ball contact region 23 of the outer peripheral rolling circle 22 contacts the ball 5 on the horizontal portion 13 and guides it into the array recess 14 without ejecting the ball 5 guided into the array recess 14. In the above configuration, the ball contact area 23 comes into contact with the ball 5 on the horizontal section 13 and can guide it to the arrangement recess 14, and once guided, the ball 5 is not discharged by the ball contact area 23 of the rotating body 20, but can be pushed out by the next ball 5 that is guided and transferred from the horizontal section 13.

[0030] The rotating body 20 in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 has a ring convexity 21 connected to the outer periphery of the disk. The ring convexity 21 is a ring-shaped convexity that protrudes and extends from the disk. It is inserted into the ball rolling gap 4 and contacts the upper surface of the ball 5 to guide and transport the ball 5. The ring convexity 21 in FIG. 6 has an outer periphery rolling circle 22 inserted into the ball rolling gap 4. The outer periphery rolling circle 22 moves through a ball contact region 23 along the ball rolling gap 4 and rotates while reciprocating up and down in the direction of the driven rotation shaft 33. The outer periphery rolling circle 22 of the rotating body 20 inserted into the ball rolling gap 4 in an inclined position has a ball contact region 23 that contacts the ball 5 and a non-contact region that does not contact the ball 5. The ball contact region 23 is the portion of the outer periphery rolling circle 22 that contacts the ball 5, and it displaces and moves in the rotational direction as the outer periphery rolling circle 22 rotates. 1 and 6 performs a grinding motion together with the driven rotation shaft 33, periodically repeating a process of moving away from and approaching (contacting) the ball rolling gap 4 (ball 5), moving up and down while repeatedly changing the distance away from the ball 5, and the ball contact area 23 displaces and moves in the rotational direction while being inserted into the ball rolling gap 4 and coming into contact with the ball 5. The maximum distance away from the ball 5 of the grinding motion outer rolling circle 22 is, for example, 1 mm or more and 10 cm or less, and preferably 5 mm or more and 5 cm or less.

[0031] The rotation mechanism 30 rotates the rotating body 20 using one or more motors 39. The rotation mechanism 30 rotates the rotating body 20 to change the relative position of the ball contact area 23 of the rotating body 20 with respect to the balls 5 of the unaligned bearing 1' set on the setting table 10. The rotation mechanism 20 rotates the rotating body 20 relative to the balls 5 of the unaligned bearing 1' using one or more rotation shafts. The rotating body 20 is rotated around two shafts, a main rotation shaft 34 (revolution shaft) and a driven rotation shaft 33 (spin shaft) in Figures 1, 2, and 6, but the rotating body 20 can also be rotated around one shaft or three or more rotation shafts.

[0032] The rotation mechanism 30 in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes a rotation mechanism 31 that rotates the rotor 20 about its axis and a revolution mechanism 32 that revolves the rotor 20. The rotation mechanism 31 in FIGS. 1 and 2 rotates a driven rotation shaft 33 that is fixed at the center of the ring convex portion 21 of the disk in a vertical orientation relative to the disk, causing the rotor 20 to rotate about its axis. The revolution mechanism 32 in FIGS. 1 and 2 rotates a driven shaft housing 33X, to which the driven rotation shaft 33 of the rotation mechanism 31 is rotatably connected, around a main rotation shaft 34 that is vertically positioned, causing the rotor 20 to revolve. The driven shaft housing 33X positions the driven rotation shaft 33 at an angle relative to the main rotation shaft 34, and revolves the driven rotation shaft 33 around the main rotation shaft 34 in an inclined orientation, moving the ball contact region 23 of the outer peripheral rolling circle 22 of the disk, which is the rotor 20, along the ball rolling gap 4. The rotation mechanism 30 can rotate the rotating body 20 directly or indirectly, and can transmit and link the rotational drive via gears, cams, belts, etc.

[0033] The rotation mechanism 31 and the revolution mechanism 32 in Figures 1, 2, and 6 rotate the rotor 20 in a direction in which the ball contact area 23 of the rotor 20 rolls the balls 5 from the horizontal portion 13 to the array recessed portion 14. The revolution mechanism 32 revolves the rotor 20 around the main rotation axis 34 in a direction in which the ball contact area 23 moves along the ball rolling gap 4. The rotation mechanism 30 rotates around its own axis and revolutions in the same rotational direction, both of which are counterclockwise in Figure 2. The rotation mechanism 30 rotates (including rotation around its own axis and revolution) the rotor 20 around two different axes, the driven rotation axis 33 and the main rotation axis 34, and the driven rotation axis 33 is inclined with respect to the main rotation axis 34. The rotation mechanism 31 uses the driven rotation axis 33 as its rotation axis, and the revolution mechanism 32 uses the main rotation axis 34 as its rotation axis. In the rotation mechanism 30, the rotation mechanism 31 rotates the rotor 20 around the driven rotation shaft 33, while at the same time the revolution mechanism 32 revolves the rotor 20 around the main rotation shaft 34. The rotation mechanism 30 rotates while the tilted rotation shaft moves and makes a circular motion (revolution) around the main rotation shaft 34 of the revolution shaft. The movement trajectory of the driven rotation shaft 33, which revolves in an inclined attitude, is an inverted cone shape (an inverted truncated cone shape), and the main rotation shaft 34 is located on the center line of the inverted cone shape.

[0034] The driven rotation shaft 33 is inclined relative to the main rotation shaft 34. The crossing angle (α) of the driven rotation shaft 33 with respect to the main rotation shaft 34 can be set, for example, between 5 and 90 degrees, preferably between 8 and 45 degrees. The crossing angle (α) of the driven rotation shaft 33 can be set so that the rotor 20 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, so that a portion of the outer peripheral rolling circle 22 forms the ball contact area 23, contacting the upper surfaces of the balls 5 in the ball rolling gap 4, and allowing the balls 5 to roll from the horizontal portion 13 to the array recessed portion 14. If the crossing angle (α) is too small, the outer peripheral rolling circle 22 will be in a nearly horizontal position, the ball contact area 23 will be wide, and it will be difficult to reliably and stably guide the balls 5 from the horizontal portion 13 to the array recessed portion 14. Conversely, if the crossing angle (α) is too large, the outer peripheral rolling circle 22 will be in a nearly vertical position, so the outer diameter of the rotor 20 needs to be increased to widen the ball contact area 23. The crossing angle (α) of the driven rotation shaft 33 with respect to the main rotation shaft 34 defines the inclination angle of the rotor 20 with respect to the horizontal plane on which the unaligned bearing 1′ is set in a horizontal position on the setting table 10.

[0035] The rotation mechanism 30 is a grinding mechanism that moves the rotor 20 in a grinding motion. The driven rotor 33 in FIGS. 1 and 6 is inclined so that the upper end of the driven rotor 33 is positioned further outward from the main rotor 34 than the lower end. The upper end of the driven rotor 33 is farther from the main rotor 34 than the lower end. As the driven rotor 33 rotates and revolves, the upper end of the driven rotor 33 moves around the main rotor 34 with a larger revolution radius than the lower end, performing a circular motion. This causes the tilt direction of the driven rotor 33 to change. This combined rotation and revolution causes the ring ridge 21 of the rotor 20 connected to the driven rotor 33 to rotate while changing its tilt direction, performing a grinding motion. The arrangement device 100, together with the driven rotor 33, causes the rotor 20 and ring ridge 21 to grind in a grinding motion, rolling the balls 5 in the ball rolling gap 4 and guiding them into the arrangement recess 14. Miso pounding motion is a rotational motion similar to the movement of a miso pestle grinding miso in a mortar, and is a phenomenon in which the axis of rotation of a rotating object wobbles in a circular motion; it is also called oscillating motion or precession. An example of miso pounding motion is a spinning top. Immediately after rotation, the top rotates at high speed, with almost no wobble on its axis, but as the rotation speed decreases, the axis wobble, the top rotates while tilting, and the tip of the top's axis moves in a circular motion. The motion of a top is a combination of rotational motion around the axis of rotation and rotational motion of the axis. The rotation of the top itself corresponds to rotation, and the rotation of the top as it moves in a circular motion while tilting corresponds to revolution.

[0036] The disk-shaped rotor 20 rotates in an inclined position in the ball rolling gap 4 and moves along the ball rolling gap 4. The rubbing motion of the ring convex 21 causes a part of the outer peripheral rolling circle 22 to become the ball contact area 23, which comes into contact with the top surface of the ball 5 in the ball rolling gap 4. This rubbing motion moves through the ball contact area 23 in the rotational direction and contacts the ball 5. As the rotor 20 rotates, the ball contact area 23 moves forward and backward in the rotational direction, approaching the ball 5 in a direction that reduces the gap between the ball 5 and the ball, thereby contacting the ball 5. In the ball array device 100, the rotor 20 does not rotate in the same place, but revolves while rotating. Furthermore, the ball contact area 23 does not contact the ball 5 at the same part, but rather, as the rotor 20 rotates, which is inclined relative to the ball rolling gap 4, it changes its contact position with the ball 5 in the rotational direction along the ball rolling gap 4, moving forward and backward. The ball contact area 23, where part of the outer rolling circle 22 comes into contact with the ball 5 while rotating, is a flat surface (including a nearly flat surface) or a slightly inclined curved surface, and approaches the ball 5 while narrowing the gap between the ball 5 and the ball, contacting it and transporting and rolling it. In the direction of rotation and advancement of the outer rolling circle 22, the ball contact area 23 approaches the ball 5 while rotating with its front raised. As the position of the bottom of the outer rolling circle 22 changes during the miso grinding motion, the ball contact area 23 comes into contact with the top surface of the ball 5 in a region including the part located above the bottom and positions just before and after the bottom. With the above configuration, the surface along the ball rolling gap 4 moves in the rotational direction with slight contact, without excessively pressing the ball 5, with little resistance, little stress on the ball 5, and without damaging it, and the balls 5 can be quickly, effortlessly, and smoothly guided into the arrangement recess 14 and arranged at equal intervals. Furthermore, with the above configuration, there is no need to determine the starting position or starting arrangement of the balls 5 of the unaligned bearing 1', and there is no need to bias the balls 5. No matter what arrangement position the multiple balls 5 are in, contact can begin with any ball 5, and the ball contact area 23 moves along the ball rolling gap 4 from the start of contact to the completion of arrangement, for example, the ball contact area 23 rotates along the ball rolling gap 4 one or more times, allowing the balls 5 to be arranged at equal intervals easily and reliably in a short time.

[0037] In Figure 1, driven rotation shaft 33 is connected perpendicularly to disk-shaped rotating body 20. Rotating body 20 performing the grinding motion rotates while outer peripheral rolling circle 22 on the outer periphery of rotating body 20 moves up and down in a reciprocating motion, and ball contact area 23 of outer peripheral rolling circle 22 moves along ball rolling gap 4, and part of ball contact area 23 of outer peripheral rolling circle 22 comes into contact with the top surface of ball 5. Rotating body 20 performing the grinding motion can increase ball contact area 23 relative to its diameter, and as ball contact area 23 displaces and moves in the rotational direction, it approaches ball 5 while narrowing the gap between it and ball 5, allowing it to efficiently transport, roll, and guide ball 5 in the rotational direction (forward direction) with contact that does not impose stress on ball 5.

[0038] The driven rotation shaft 33 can be oscillatingly rotated while being tilted relative to the main rotation shaft 34. The upper and lower ends of the driven rotation shaft 33 in FIG. 1 are spaced apart from the main rotation axis 34 by different distances. The upper end of the driven rotation shaft 33 in FIG. 1 is positioned further outward from the main rotation axis 34 than the lower end, making the driven rotation shaft 33 tilted relative to the vertical main rotation shaft 34. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the circular orbit traced by the upper end of the driven rotation shaft 33 as it revolves around the main rotation shaft 34 while rotating on its own axis is larger than the circular orbit traced by the lower end of the driven rotation shaft 33. The connection between the driven rotation shaft 33 and the rotor 20 can be located near the main rotation shaft 34 or an extension of the main rotation shaft 34. The main rotation shaft 34 or an extension of the main rotation shaft 34 refers to a central region within 1 / 3 of the orbital radius of the upper end of the driven rotation shaft 33 from the extension of the main rotation shaft 34. The driven rotation shaft 33 can rotate around the connecting portion between the driven rotation shaft 33 and the rotating body 20 as a fulcrum. The rotation mechanism 30 and the rotating body 20 can be connected via a mechanism that adjusts the angle between the main rotation shaft 34 and the driven rotation shaft 33. In Figures 1 and 2, the driven shaft housing 33X is connected to the main rotation shaft 34 at a predetermined angle. The motor 39 can transmit the rotational drive of the main rotation shaft 34 to the driven rotation shaft 33 to rotate the driven rotation shaft 33.

[0039] The rotation mechanism 30 in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a main shaft housing 34X to which a vertically oriented main rotation shaft 34 is rotatably connected. The main rotation shaft 34, which protrudes above the main shaft housing 34X, is rotated by a motor 39 (first motor 39A), allowing the rotor 20 to revolve while rotating on its axis. A drive gear 34a is fixed to the periphery of the main shaft housing 34X. The driven shaft housing 33X in FIG. 1 is connected and fixed to the lower end side of the main rotation shaft 34. The driven shaft housing 33X rotatably connects the driven rotation shaft 33 to the main rotation shaft 34 so that the driven rotation shaft 33 rotates around the main rotation shaft 34 in an inclined position. A driven gear 33a is fixed to the upper end of the driven rotation shaft 33. The driven gear 33a of the driven rotation shaft 33 is in mesh with the drive gear 34a of the main rotation shaft 34, causing the main rotation shaft 34 to rotate the driven shaft housing 33X. The driven shaft housing 33X rotates around the main rotation shaft 34 (main shaft housing 34X), and revolves around the main rotation shaft 34 via the drive gear 34a and the driven gear 33a, while the driven rotation shaft 33 rotates on its own axis. The driven rotation shaft 33, which is connected to the main rotation shaft 34 and revolves and rotates on its own axis, rotates the disk-shaped rotating body 20 connected to its lower end. The disk-shaped rotating body 20 revolves as the driven rotation shaft 33 of the rotating shaft moves in a circular orbit around the main rotation shaft 34 in an inclined position. In the above configuration, the meshing of the drive gear 34a and the driven gear 33a combines rotation and revolution to cause the inclined driven rotation shaft 33 to perform a grinding motion, thereby achieving the grinding motion of the rotating body 20 connected to the driven rotation shaft 33 reliably, stably, and with a simple structure. The rotation mechanism 30 can have one or more motors 39. In the rotation mechanism 30 of Fig. 1, the first motor 39A rotates the driven rotation shaft 33 on its axis while the driven rotation shaft 33 revolves around the main rotation shaft 34, thereby rotating the rotor 20. The above configuration has the advantage of being able to rotate the rotor 20 on its axis while revolving using a single motor 39 (first motor 39A), simplifying the structure and reducing costs. The above-described arrangement device 100 uses the main rotation shaft 34 as the rotation axis and revolves the driven rotation shaft 33 in an inclined position around the main rotation shaft 34 while rotating on its axis, causing the rotor 20 to perform a grinding motion, and arranging the balls 5 in the ball rolling gaps 4 at equal intervals.

[0040] The revolution speed and rotation speed of the rotor 20 can be controlled by the rotation speed of the motor 39. The ratio of the rotation speed and the revolution speed can be controlled by the ratio of the number of teeth between the drive gear 34a fixed to the spindle housing 34X and the driven gear 33a of the driven rotor shaft 33 that meshes with the drive gear 34a. The rotation and revolution speed of the rotor 20 are preferably set so that the peripheral speed of the outer rolling circle 22 of the rotor 20 due to rotation is faster than the speed at which the ball contact area 23 moves along the ball rolling gap 4 as the rotor 20 revolves. This arrangement device 100 has the advantage that the ball contact area 23 contacts the upper surfaces of the balls 5 on the horizontal portion 13 and can quickly and efficiently guide the balls 5 into the arrangement recesses 14. The rotation, which has a faster peripheral speed than the revolution of the rotor 20, moves and transports the rotating and moving ball contact area 23 in the transport direction of the balls 5, more effectively promoting the rolling and transport of the balls. Furthermore, the ball contact area 23 that rotates can move forward in the rolling direction of the ball 5 without applying an excessive load to the ball 5, damaging the ball 5, or rubbing it, and can quickly and effortlessly roll and transfer the ball 5 on the horizontal portion 13 with only slight contact, thereby reliably and stably guiding the ball 5 into the arrangement recess 14 while preventing damage to the ball 5. The ratio of the number of revolutions to the number of rotations of the driven rotation shaft 33 is, for example, 1:1 or more and 1:8 or less, and preferably 1:1.5 or more and 1:5 or less.

[0041] In the ball array device 100 described above, the rotating body 20, which revolves while rotating, moves each ball 5 to the upper edge of the array convex shape 11 located below the ball rolling gap 4 of the unarranged bearing 1', and guides each ball 5 into each array recessed section 14, aligning them at equal intervals. The rotating body 20, which revolves while rotating, brings the ball contact area 23 into contact with the upper surface of the ball 5, and moves the ball 5 along the upper edge of the array convex shape 11 as it rolls, guiding the ball 5 from the horizontal section 13 to the array recessed section 14. The rotating body 20 rolls the ball 5 on the horizontal section 13 into the array recessed section 14 using the ball contact area 23, and guides the ball 5 into the array recessed section 14 without pushing the ball 5 guided into the array recessed section 14 from the array recessed section 14 into the horizontal section 13 using the ball contact area 23, and the ball 5 in the array recessed section 14 is pushed into the horizontal section 13 by the next ball 5 guided, thereby evenly arranging all of the balls 5 of the unarranged bearing 1'.

[0042] 7A to 7E illustrate schematic diagrams showing the principle by which the ball contact area 23 of the rotating body 20, which revolves while rotating, evenly arranges the balls 5 of the unarranged bearing 1'. Note that in the illustrations of FIGS. 7A to 7E, four balls A, B, C, and D are guided into the arrangement recesses a, b, c, and d in order to simplify and facilitate understanding of the arrangement of the balls 5. However, the ball arrangement device 100 of the present disclosure does not limit the number of balls 5 to four. Even in an unarranged bearing 1' having a number of balls 5 other than four, all balls 5 can be guided and arranged into their respective arrangement recesses 14 using the same principle. For example, even in an unarranged bearing 1' having five or more balls 5, the rolling, pushing, and guiding of the balls 5 into the arrangement recesses 14 shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E are repeated.

[0043] FIG. 7A shows the ball contact area 23 just before contact begins with the top surface of ball 5 of unaligned bearing 1'. While balls A, B, C, and D are gathered (biased) in one location in unaligned bearing 1' in FIG. 7A, the same principle can be used to guide randomly arranged balls 5 into alignment recess 14 and arrange them at equal intervals. Unaligned bearing 1' in FIG. 7A begins contact with ball 5 when ball D is in alignment recess d, but it can also begin contact with ball 5 when ball 5 is in horizontal section 13, allowing ball 5 to be transported and guided. For example, when contact begins with ball 5 on horizontal section 13, the same principle can be used to explain the process, assuming that ball D in FIG. 7A is not present and that contact with ball C (FIG. 7B) begins.

[0044] 7B and 7C show how the ball contact area 23 contacts the top surface of ball C, causing it to roll, and how ball C then pushes out ball B in the array recess c, guiding ball C into the array recess c. First, the ball contact area 23 passes through the foremost (left) ball D, which has fallen into the array recess d and is in the lowered position, without ejecting this ball D from the array recess d (FIGS. 7A and 7B). Next, the second ball C from the front is on the horizontal section 13, and the ball contact area 23 contacts the top surface of ball C, causing it to roll and advance along the horizontal section 13 in the rotational direction (the direction of arrow X) (FIGS. 7B and 7C). At this time, as the rotor 20 rotates, the ball contact area 23 moves, displaces, and advances along the ball rolling gap 4 in the rotational direction indicated by arrow X, contacting the top surface of ball C and rolling, advancing, and transporting ball C in the same direction as the rotational direction (the direction of arrow X). As the rotor 20 rotates, the contact position with the ball 5 changes, and the ball contact area 23 advances in the rolling direction of the ball 5 (arrow X), encouraging the rolling of the ball 5 (ball C). As ball C rolls and advances in the direction of arrow X, it pushes out ball B, which had previously been guided or placed in the array recess c ahead, from the array recess c, and is guided into the now vacant array recess c (FIG. 7C). As ball B is pushed out of array recess c onto the horizontal section 13, it comes into contact with the ball contact area 23, which is rotating in the direction of arrow X, and ball B rolls forward (FIG. 7C). As ball B is pushed out of array recess c, it advances, pushing out ball A and sending it to the horizontal section 13 ahead, guiding ball A to the previous array recess b (FIG. 7C).

[0045] 7C and 7D show how the ball contact region 23 advances in the rolling direction of ball B (arrow X), contacting the upper surface of ball B and causing it to roll, which then pushes out ball A in array recess b, guiding ball B into array recess b. As the ball contact region 23 advances in the rolling direction of ball B (arrow X), it contacts the upper surface of ball B, which has been pushed out of array recess c and is on the horizontal section 13, causing ball B to roll and move forward on the horizontal section 13 in the rotation direction (arrow X) (FIGS. 7C and 7D). Ball B pushes out ball A in array recess b from array recess b onto the horizontal section 13, and ball B rolls and is guided into the vacant array recess b (FIG. 7D). Ball A pushed out of array recess b is sent out to the horizontal section 13 beyond (FIG. 7D).

[0046] 7D and 7E show how the ball contact region 23 advances in the rolling direction of ball A (arrow X), contacting the upper surface of ball A to roll it and guiding it into the array recess a. As the ball contact region 23 advances in the rolling direction of the rolling ball A (arrow X), it contacts the upper surface of ball A that has been pushed from array recess b to the horizontal portion 13, guiding it from the horizontal portion 13 to the array recess a, guiding all balls A, B, C, and D into the array recesses a, b, c, and d. As described above, the ball contact region 23 repeatedly contacts the balls 5 until there are no more balls 5 left on the horizontal portion 13, advancing the balls 5 on the horizontal portion 13 and replacing them with the balls 5 in the array recess 14 in a domino effect, guiding all of the balls 5 into the array recess 14. When all the balls 5 are guided into the array recesses 14, there are no balls 5 on the horizontal portion 13 that come into contact with the ball contact areas 23, and the ball contact areas 23 of the rotating body of rotation 20 do not push the balls 5 out of the array recesses 14. Note that the reference numbers for the balls 5 and array recesses 14 are for the purpose of explanation and do not specify which array recesses 14 the balls 5 are guided into, and all the balls 5 can be guided into the same number of array recesses 14 and arranged at equal intervals.

[0047] In the above-described arranging device 100, the balls 5 arranged randomly, regularly, or irregularly in the ball rolling gap 4 come into contact with the ball contact region 23, roll, and advance while rotating the rotor 20 that revolves around its axis, and are guided sequentially into the arrangement recesses 14, starting from the ball 5 on the front side in the rotation direction (ball D in FIG. 7A) toward the back side (balls are guided to each arrangement recess 14 in the order D → C → B → A in FIGS. 7A to 7E). The ball 5 on the back side is pushed by the ball 5 on the front side and moves along the upper edge of the arrangement convex portion 11, and moves forward toward the back side (in the rotation direction, rolling direction) while alternately moving between the horizontal portion 13 and the arrangement recesses 14 (arrangement recesses b, a) one after another. 7A to 7E, ball A at the back (leading edge) of the rotation direction (travel direction) is pushed by ball B next to the leading edge and moves along the upper edge of array convex shape 11. It moves in the rotation direction, alternately passing through horizontal portion 13 (FIGS. 7A and 7B), array recessed portion b (FIG. 7C), and horizontal portion 13 (FIG. 7D), and is finally guided into array recessed portion a. Since the rotating body 20 does not push balls 5 guided into array recessed portion 14 out of array recessed portion 14 and into horizontal portion 13, with the leading ball 5 being guided into array recessed portion 14, all balls 5 are guided into their respective array recessed portions 14 and arranged at equal intervals. With all balls 5 guided into array recessed portions 14, the rotating body 20, whose ball contact region 23 of outer peripheral rolling circle 22 moves along the ball rolling gap 4, completes the arrangement of balls 5 into their respective array recessed portions 14 without the outer peripheral rolling circle 22 pushing balls 5 in the array recessed portions 14 into the horizontal portion 13. Therefore, with all the balls 5 aligned, the rotating body 20, whose ball contact area 23 of the outer circumferential rolling circle 22 moves along the ball rolling gap 4, maintains the balls 5 at equal intervals without expelling them from the alignment recess 14. This device can rotate the rotating body 20 more times than is necessary to align all the balls 5, and can evenly arrange the balls 5 of all the unaligned bearings 1', without controlling the number of times that the rotating body 20 rotates to align the balls 5.After the rotating body 20 has evenly arranged the balls 5, the rotation of the rotating body 20 can be stopped, or without stopping the rotation of the rotating body 20, the rotating body 20 can be moved upward from the unarranged bearing 1' to an elevated position, and a retainer can be set on the arranged bearing 1, or the arranged bearing 1 can be removed from the setting table 10 in a horizontal position, and a retainer can be set to hold the balls 5 at equal intervals.

[0048] The ball array device 100 of FIG. 1 includes a pressing mechanism 40 that presses the outer peripheral rolling circle 22 of the rotating body 20 against the surface of the ball 5. The pressing mechanism 40 is capable of moving and pressing a part or all of the rotating body 20 or the rotation mechanism 30, including the ball contact area 23 of the outer peripheral rolling circle 22, to press it against the surface of the ball 5. The pressing mechanism 40 of FIG. 1 has a vertical movement mechanism 41 that moves the rotation mechanism 20, including the rotating body 20, up and down. The vertical movement mechanism 41 can press the outer peripheral rolling circle 22 against the surface of the ball 5 by gravity, utilizing the weight of the rotation mechanism 30. Note that the present disclosure does not specify the configuration or structure of the pressing mechanism 40, and any structure or configuration that can press the surface of the ball 5, including the example shown in the figures, is possible.

[0049] The pressing mechanism 40 and the vertical movement mechanism 41 each have a pressing regulation unit 42 that regulates and adjusts the movable range, lowest position, pressing range, and pressing force of the ball contact area 23. The pressing regulation unit 42 can utilize the elastic force (elastic restoring force) of an elastic body such as a coil spring or a leaf spring, and the vertical movement mechanism 41 can directly or indirectly contact a fixed part such as the set table 10, base frame 17, rotating body 20, or rotation mechanism 30 to regulate the movable range. The pressing regulation unit 42 regulates the lowest position of the ball contact area 23 to a position where the balls 5 in the array recesses 14 can contact the upper surfaces of the balls 5 in the horizontal portion 13 and roll in the rotational direction without pushing them out of the array recesses 14. The pressing regulation unit 42 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a stopper unit 42a that regulates the lowest position of the ball contact area 23 in the pressing direction and the innermost pressing position. The stopper portion 42a defines the movable range and lowest position of the ball contact area 23, allowing the balls 5 in the array recess 14 to pass through the ball contact area 23 without pushing them out and allowing the balls 5 in the horizontal portion 13 to roll. The stopper portion 42a in FIG. 1 is provided on the spindle housing 34X, which moves up and down, and abuts against a member or frame provided on the frame of the fixed ball array device 100 to define the movable range and lowest position of the ball contact area 23. Furthermore, the stopper portion 42a has an adjustment portion 42b that finely adjusts the pressing position, lowest position, range, and degree. The adjustment portion 42b in FIG. 1 determines and finely adjusts the pressing force, position, and range by adjusting the tightening position and degree of the screw threaded into the through hole of the stopper portion 42a. Note that the pressing force determining portion 42 and the stopper portion 42a are not specific to the illustration and can be provided on the setting table 10, base frame 17, rotating body 20, rotation mechanism 30, or elsewhere.

[0050] The above-described ball arrangement device 100 distributes the balls 5 of the unarranged bearing 1' evenly in the ball rolling gap 4 in the following steps. (1) The rotating body 20 is placed in the raised position, and the unaligned bearing 1' with a predetermined number of balls 5 placed in the ball rolling gap 4 between the outer ring 3 and the inner ring 2 is guided into the fitting groove 15 of the setting table 10 and set in the fixed position (Figures 4 and 5). (2) The rotating body 20 is lowered to guide the ball contact area 23 of the rotating body 20 into the ball rolling gap 4 (FIG. 6). (3) Rotate the motor 39 to rotate the rotor 20 while rotating on its axis, and move the balls 5 in the ball rolling gap 4 as shown in Figures 7A to 7E, so that the balls 5 are evenly arranged in the ball rolling gap 4 (Figures 8 and 9).

[0051] In the ball arrangement device 100, the arrangement protrusion 11 and fitting groove 15 of the setting table 10, and the rotating body 20 are detachable and adjustable, allowing them to be replaced according to the size and shape of the bearing 1, and the arrangement position of each can also be adjusted and changed. The above configuration does not require a dedicated jig for each bearing 1 as in conventional devices, and also simplifies the structure and reduces the number of parts, achieving significant cost reductions and space savings in arrangement location. (Embodiment 2)

[0052] In a bearing ball array device 200 according to a second embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the revolution mechanism 32 includes a first motor 39A that rotates the main rotation shaft 34, and the rotation mechanism 31 includes a second motor 39B that rotates the driven rotation shaft 33. The rotation mechanism 30 can include a revolution motor that revolves the rotating body 20 and a rotation motor that rotates the rotating body 20. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the first motor 39A is the revolution motor, and the second motor 39B is the rotation motor. The revolution mechanism 32 revolves around the main rotation shaft 34, around which the first motor 39A rotates, a driven shaft housing 33X that is integrally connected and fixed to the main rotation shaft 34. The main shaft housing 34X rotatably positions the main rotation shaft 34 in a vertical position via a bearing. In the rotation mechanism 31, the second motor 39B rotates the driven rotation shaft 33, causing the rotating body 20 connected to the driven rotation shaft 33 to rotate about its own axis. The driven rotation shaft housing 33X rotatably positions the driven rotation shaft 33, which is inclined relative to the main rotation shaft 34, via a bearing. The driven rotation shaft 33 is inclined relative to the main rotation shaft 34 at a predetermined intersection angle (α). The driven shaft housing 33X is fixed to the lower part of the main rotation shaft 34 and rotates together with the main rotation shaft 34, causing the driven rotation shaft 33 and the rotating body 20 connected to the driven rotation shaft 33 to revolve around the main rotation shaft 34. The revolution mechanism 32 of the ball array device 200 includes a vertical movement mechanism 41, similar to the ball array device 100. Furthermore, unlike the ball array device 100, the rotation mechanism 30 does not have a drive gear 34a or a driven gear 33a, and rotates the driven rotation shaft 33 by a second motor 39B separate from the first motor 39A, causing the rotating body 20 to rotate on its axis. are.

[0053] In the above-described bearing ball arrangement device 200, the second motor 39B rotates the driven rotating shaft 33 to rotate the rotating body 20 on its own axis, and the first motor 39A rotates the main rotating shaft 34 to rotate (revolve) the driven shaft housing 33X (driven rotating shaft 33) connected to the main rotating shaft 34 around the main rotating shaft 34, allowing the rotating body 20 to revolve while rotating on its own axis. The rotating rotating body 20 rolls the balls 5 in the horizontal portion 13 into the arrangement recesses 14. The revolving rotating body 20 moves along the ball contact region 23 of the outer peripheral rotation circle 22 along the ball rolling gaps 4 of the unarranged bearing 1', guiding all of the balls 5 arranged in the ball rolling gaps 4 into the arrangement recesses 14 and arranging all of the balls 5 at equal intervals. In the above-described bearing ball arrangement device 200, the first motor 39A revolves the rotor 20 and the second motor 39B rotates the rotor 20, but the speed at which the rotor 20 revolves while rotating can be set in the same way as in embodiment 1, so that the balls of the unarranged bearing can be arranged at equal intervals. Furthermore, the rotation speed and rotation direction of the first motor 39A and the second motor 39B can each be determined, changed, and adjusted. (Embodiment 3)

[0054] 11 shows a ball array device 300 of a bearing according to a third embodiment. In this ball array device 300, the revolution mechanism 32 rotates the main rotation shaft 34 using a first motor 39A, causing the rotor 20 to revolve around the main rotation shaft 34, and the rotation mechanism 31 rotates the rotor shaft 36, which corresponds to the driven rotation shaft 33a, using a third motor 39C, causing the rotor 20 to rotate on its axis. Similar to the ball array devices 100 and 200, the revolution mechanism 32 includes a vertical movement mechanism 41, and further rotates the third motor 39C fixed to the lower part of the main rotation shaft 34 and the rotor shaft 36 in a horizontal plane, causing the connected rotor 20 to revolve via these. In the rotation mechanism 31, the third motor 39C rotates the rotor 20 in a vertical plane with the rotor shaft 36 in a horizontal position as the rotation axis (spin axis). The rotor 20 is fixed to the tip of the rotor shaft 36 extending horizontally of the third motor 39C, and the rotor 20 rotates in a vertical plane to rotate on its axis. In the ball array device 300 shown in FIG. 11, the intersection angle (α) between the main rotor shaft 34 and the rotor shaft 36 corresponding to the driven rotor shaft 33a is 90 degrees, but it can also be an angle other than 90 degrees. In the ball array device 300, the first motor 39A rotates the main rotor shaft 34 to revolve the rotor 20, while the third motor 39C rotates the rotor 20 on its axis, moving the ball contact area 23 of the rotor 20 along the ball rolling gap 4 of the unarranged bearing 1' to arrange the balls 5 at equal intervals. The rotational speed and rotational direction of the first motor 39A and the third motor 39C can each be determined, changed, and adjusted. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] The above-described bearing ball arrangement device has a simple structure, reduces running costs, and can be suitably used as a device that can quickly arrange balls in their fixed positions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100, 200, 300, 900...Bearing ball arrangement device 1...Bearing 1'...Unaligned bearing 2...Inner circle 3...Outer ring 4...Ball rolling gap 5, A, B, C, D...balls 10...Set stand 11... Convex array 12...Ball rolling path 13…Horizontal part 14, a, b, c, d...arrangement recess 15...Mating groove 15A...Inner ring groove 15B...Outer ring groove 16...Chamfered shape 17...Base frame 20...Rotating body 21...Convex ring 22...Outer rolling circle 23...Ball contact area 30...Rotation mechanism 31...Rotation mechanism 32...Revolution mechanism 33...Driven rotating shaft 33a...Driven gear 33X...Driven shaft housing 34...Main rotating shaft 34a...Drive gear 34X...Spindle housing 36...Rotating body axis 39...Motor 39A...1st motor 39B...Second motor 39C...Third motor 40...Pressing mechanism 41...Up / down movement mechanism 42...Pressing regulation section 42a...Stopper part 42b…adjustment section 904...Ball rolling clearance 905...ball 940...Comb 941...Gap adjustment rod

Claims

1. A bearing ball arrangement device having all of the following configurations (a) to (k). (a) A plurality of balls are placed in a ball rolling gap between an inner ring and an outer ring. a setting table on which unaligned bearings are placed in a horizontal position; The balls of the unaligned bearings of the setting table are a rotating body that rolls along the ball rolling gap; and a rotation mechanism that rotates the rotating body. (b) the set table is The balls are arranged in a convex shape and inserted into the lower part of the ball rolling gap. (c) The convex arrangement has ball rolling paths on the upper surface. (d) the ball rolling path is a horizontal portion where the ball rolls horizontally; The ball rolls in from the horizontal section, a plurality of arranged recesses into which a rolling ball is pushed out by a next rolling ball; The horizontal portion having a fixed length is disposed between adjacent array recesses. (e) the rotating body is The ball rolling path has an outer rolling circle that contacts the surface of the ball and causes the ball to roll. (f) The outer rolling circle is Insert into the ball rolling gap, The area where the ball rolls from the horizontal portion to the arrangement recess is defined as the ball contact area. (g) the rotation mechanism a rotation mechanism that rotates the rotor; and a revolution mechanism for revolving the rotor around the non-aligned bearing. (h) the rotation mechanism The rotating body is rotated with the central axis of the rotating body as a driven rotation axis, The revolution mechanism is The central axis of the unaligned bearing is the main rotation axis; and The main rotating shaft and the driven rotating shaft are maintained at a constant crossing angle (α), The driven rotary shaft is rotated around the main rotary shaft relative to the unaligned bearing. (i) the rotating body is Rotated by the rotation mechanism, The ball in the horizontal section rolls on the ball contact area. (j) the rotating body is The revolving mechanism revolves, The ball contact area of ​​the rotating body moves along the ball rolling gap. (k) the rotating body is Rotated by the rotation mechanism, The balls of the horizontal portion are rolled into the arrangement recesses, The revolving mechanism revolves, The ball contact area moves along the ball rolling path, Each ball in the ball rolling gap is guided into the arrangement recess and placed in a fixed position.

2. 2. The ball arrangement device for a bearing according to claim 1, contacting the ball contact area with the surface of the ball at a predetermined pressure; A bearing ball arrangement device equipped with a pressing mechanism.

3. 3. The ball arrangement device for a bearing according to claim 2, The pressing mechanism a mechanism for moving the rotation mechanism up and down, A bearing ball arrangement device in which the vertical movement mechanism causes the ball contact area to contact the surface of the ball by gravity.

4. 2. The ball arrangement device for a bearing according to claim 1, The set table is a fitting groove for positioning the non-aligned bearing; The non-aligned bearing is guided into the fitting groove, A bearing ball alignment device for aligning the unaligned bearing in a fixed position on the setting table.

5. 2. The ball arrangement device for a bearing according to claim 1, The rotating body is Guided by the ball rolling gap, A bearing ball arrangement device having a ring convexity on which balls roll on the outer peripheral rolling circle.

6. 2. The ball arrangement device for a bearing according to claim 1, The rotation mechanism is a rotation motor that rotates the rotating body; a rotation motor for rotating the rotating body;

7. 2. The ball arrangement device for a bearing according to claim 1, the speed at which the ball contact area moves along the ball rolling gap as the rotating body revolves, A ball arrangement device for a bearing in which the peripheral speed of the outer rolling circle on which the rotating body rotates is high.

8. 8. A ball arrangement device for a bearing according to claim 1, The rotation mechanism is A soybean paste grater rotation mechanism that performs soybean paste grater motion on the rotor, The miso grater rotation mechanism is The rotor revolves while rotating, A ball alignment device of the bearing that guides the balls into each of the alignment recesses.

9. 9. The ball arrangement device for a bearing according to claim 8, a base frame to which the set table is connected, The miso grater rotation mechanism is a bearing ball arrangement device having all of the following configurations (l) to (p). (l) The miso grater rotation mechanism is a spindle housing connected to the base frame so as to be movable up and down; the main rotating shaft disposed in a vertical position in the main shaft housing via a bearing; fixed to the lower part of the main rotating shaft, a driven shaft housing that is rotated in a horizontal plane by the rotation of the main rotating shaft; the driven rotating shaft connected to the driven shaft housing via a bearing; and a motor that rotates the main rotary shaft. (m) the spindle housing A drive gear is fixed about the main rotary shaft. (n) the driven shaft housing The driven rotation shaft is fixed to the main rotation shaft in an orientation where the main rotation shaft and the driven rotation shaft form a predetermined crossing angle (α). (o) the driven rotation shaft is A driven gear that meshes with the drive gear is fixed to the upper side, The lower end is fixed to the center of the rotor. (p) the main rotating shaft is rotated by a motor, The rotating main shaft rotates the driven shaft housing in a horizontal plane; The driven shaft housing rotates in a horizontal plane, The driven gear is fixed to the main shaft housing and engages with the drive gear to rotate the driven rotation shaft. The driven gear rotates the rotating body via the driven rotation shaft, The driven shaft housing rotates around the main rotation shaft, The rotor revolves around the rotor, causing it to perform a grinding motion.

10. 10. The ball arrangement device for a bearing according to claim 9, A bearing ball arrangement device in which the crossing angle (α) of the driven rotation shaft with respect to the main rotation shaft is 5 to 90 degrees.

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