Linear motion guide device

Abstract

To provide a linear motion guide device capable of achieving stable oil supply by reducing the influence of gravity on lubricating oil in an oil supply groove.SOLUTION: In a linear motion guide device, an end cap attached to a slider body has an oil feeding hole and an oil feeding groove connecting the oil feeding hole and a direction changing passage, and the oil feeding groove has a first oil feeding groove having a bottom surface parallel to a surface of the end cap facing the slider body, a second oil feeding groove disposed on the bottom surface of the first oil feeding groove along the first oil feeding groove, and an oil passage dividing groove formed on the bottom surface of the first oil feeding groove so as to divide the second oil feeding groove. The oil passage dividing groove is a recess having a width and a depth larger than the width and the depth of the second oil groove.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

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

[0003] The linear guide device comprises a guide rail provided with rail-side rolling element raceway grooves, and a slider body provided with slider-side rolling element raceway grooves facing the rail-side rolling element raceway grooves, the slider body being supported by the guide rail so as to be movable in the axial direction via the rolling of a plurality of rolling elements disposed in rolling passages formed between the slider-side rolling element raceway grooves and the rail-side rolling element raceway grooves. The linear guide device further comprises a rolling element return passage provided in the slider body so as to be substantially parallel to the rolling passage, and direction change passages provided in end caps attached to both ends of the slider body in the moving direction, for communicating the rolling passage and the rolling element return passage. Lubricating oil is supplied to the slider from the outside to ensure smooth rolling of the rolling elements.

[0004] In a conventional linear guide device, there is a device in which oil supply ports are provided on both sides of the end caps provided at both ends in the movement direction of the slider, and each oil supply port is connected to each of the left and right direction change paths of the end cap, so that lubricating oil can be supplied evenly to each of the left and right direction change paths.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a linear guide device in which the end cap has recesses on the surfaces of both legs facing the slider body that form direction change paths for the rolling elements, an oil supply groove is formed on the surface facing the slider body to supply lubricating oil to the direction change paths, the end cap has an oil supply port for introducing lubricating oil into the oil supply groove, and a plurality of grooves extending parallel to the oil supply groove are formed on the bottom surface of the oil supply groove. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-146888 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Linear guides are installed and used in various devices in a variety of positions, but depending on the position, there is a problem that the supply of lubricating oil can become unstable.In response to this, the linear guide device of Patent Document 1 is provided with multiple second oil grooves arranged parallel to the bottom surface of the first oil groove, and due to the capillary action of these second oil grooves, it is said that lubricating oil can be stably supplied to the direction change path of the slider leg arranged on the upper side, even when the slider mounting angle exceeds 45° with respect to the horizontal.

[0008] However, such conventional techniques have the following problems. First, the capillary action of the second oil groove (the phenomenon in which the liquid level rises due to surface tension) makes it possible to supply oil against gravity, but because the second oil groove is continuous, the lubricating oil is subjected to gravity and cannot stay in place along the second oil groove, but is instead pulled back along the second oil groove, making stable supply of oil difficult. Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, only the dimension of the second oil groove in the groove width direction is considered, and there is a risk that the lubricating oil supply capacity by capillary action will not be sufficient.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a linear guide device that can alleviate the effect of gravity on the lubricating oil in the oil supply groove and achieve stable oil supply. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The linear guide device of the present invention is Guide rails and a slider disposed so as to move relative to the guide rail in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of rolling elements arranged to roll freely along a rolling element rolling path formed between the guide rail and the slider, The slider includes: a slider body having raceway grooves arranged opposite to the raceway grooves of the guide rail to form rolling paths for the rolling elements, and having return paths for the rolling elements; an end cap having a direction change path connecting the return path and the rolling element rolling path, The end cap is A fuel filler hole, an oil supply groove connecting the oil supply hole and the direction change path; The oil supply groove is a first oil groove having a bottom surface parallel to a surface of the end cap facing the slider body; a second oil groove that is located in a bottom surface of the first oil groove and is arranged along the first oil groove; an oil passage separating groove formed in a bottom surface of the first oil groove so as to separate the second oil groove, The oil passage separating groove is a recess having a width and a depth greater than the width and the depth of the second oil groove. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a linear guide device that can alleviate the effect of gravity on the lubricating oil in the oil supply groove and achieve stable oil supply. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a linear guide device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4]Fig. 4(a) is an enlarged view of a portion of the longitudinal oil supply groove shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB of Fig. 4(a), Fig. 4(c) is an enlarged schematic view of part A of Fig. 4(a), and Fig. 4(d) is an enlarged schematic view of part B of Fig. 4(a). [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the linear guide device according to the first embodiment is attached at an angle of 45 degrees around the longitudinal axis. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 according to the first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 according to a second modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of an oil groove near a direction change path according to a third modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the periphery of a central oil filler hole according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification, terms indicating directions (upward, downward, etc.) refer to the respective directions in Figure 2 unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the "longitudinal direction" refers to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail or slider.

[0014] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a linear guide device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1, which corresponds to a side view of the end cap from the slider body side, but since the shape is symmetrical across the center of the end cap, the left half is not shown.

[0015] In Figure 1, the linear guide device comprises a guide rail 1 extending in the axial direction and a slider 2 mounted on the guide rail 1 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction. On both widthwise sides of the guide rail 1, rolling surfaces 3a, 3b extending in the axial direction are formed in two rows on each side, for a total of four rows.

[0016] The slider 2 has a slider body 2A and end caps 2B attached to both axial sides of the slider body 2A in the guide rail 1. The slider body 2A has a U-shaped cross section and consists of a center section 2a and two sleeve sections 2b. Rolling surfaces (not shown) that face the rolling surfaces 3a, 3b of the guide rail 1 are formed on the inner surfaces of both sleeve sections 2b, and the facing rolling surfaces form a rolling path for the rolling elements.

[0017] A large number of balls (rolling elements) are loaded in the rolling element rolling path so as to be able to roll freely, and as these balls roll, the slider 2 can move relatively on the guide rail 1 in the axial direction.

[0018] In response to this relative movement, balls roll along the rolling element rolling path between the guide rail 1 and the slider 2 and move to the axial end of the slider body 2A, but in order to continue moving the slider 2 in the axial direction, it is necessary to circulate these balls endlessly. For this reason, semi-annular direction change paths 21, 22 (FIG. 2) are formed in the end cap 2B of the slider 2, and a return path (not shown) is formed in the sleeve portion 2b of the slider body 2A, extending in the axial direction parallel to the rolling element rolling path. Both ends of the direction change paths 21, 22 connect the rolling element rolling path and the return path.

[0019] The end cap 2B is formed, for example, using a hard resin material. The end cap 2B has a U-shaped cross section to match the slider body 2A, and has a body portion 2c located in the center in the width direction and a pair of sleeve portions 2d formed on both sides of the body portion 2c. As shown in FIG. 2, the end cap 2B has direction change paths 21 and 22, through holes 23 and 24 through which screws SC1 and SC2 (FIG. 1) for fixing the end cap 2B to the slider body 2A are inserted, a central oil supply hole 25, and a side oil supply hole 26. A grease nipple GN (FIG. 1) is attached to the central oil supply hole 25.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the end cap 2B has an oil supply groove 27 on its back surface 2e facing the slider body 2A. When the end cap 2B is attached to the end face of the slider body 2A, the inner surface of the oil supply groove 27 and the end face form an oil supply path for lubricating oil. One end of the oil supply groove 27 communicates with the side oil supply hole 26. The lubricating oil supplied from the central oil supply hole 25 and the side oil supply hole 26 is sent to the direction change paths 21, 22 via the oil supply groove 27 and is used to lubricate the rolling elements.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of Fig. 2. In Figs. 2 and 3, oil groove 27 has first oil groove 27a having a rectangular cross-section formed in back surface 2e, second oil groove 27b having a rectangular cross-section narrower than first oil groove 27a and arranged parallel to first oil groove 27a at the center of bottom surface 27d of first oil groove 27a, and oil passage separating groove 27c separating second oil groove 27b in the vertical direction. Back surface 2e and bottom surface 27d are parallel. As shown in Fig. 3, oil passage separating groove 27c is a thin, notched recess extending from bottom surface 27d of first oil groove 27a beyond the bottom surface of second oil groove 27b, and has a rectangular cross-section wider than the width of second oil groove 27b when viewed in the direction of Fig. 3. It is preferable that the length of oil passage separating groove 27c along the longitudinal direction of second oil groove 27b (L1 in Figure 4(a) described later) be less than 1 / 2 of the width of second oil groove 27b (b in Figure 4(a) described later).

[0022] Note that the width of the first oil supply groove 27a refers to the dimension WA of the first oil supply groove 27a in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the first oil supply groove 27a on the back surface 2e. Also, the width of the second oil supply groove 27b refers to the dimension b of the second oil supply groove 27b in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the second oil supply groove 27b on the bottom surface 27d of the first oil supply groove 27a, and the depth of the second oil supply groove 27b refers to the length h from the bottom surface 27d to the bottom of the second oil supply groove 27b. Similarly, the width of the oil passage dividing groove 27c refers to the dimension WC (b < WC < WA) of the oil passage dividing groove 27c in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the second oil supply groove 27b on the bottom surface 27d, and the depth of the oil passage dividing groove 27c refers to the length DC (> h) from the bottom surface 27d to the bottom of the oil passage dividing groove 27c.

[0023] If only the first oil supply groove 27a is provided, even when gravity is applied to the lubricating oil, depending on the posture of the slider 2, there are problems such as the lubricating oil being drawn back and it being difficult for a smooth flow to occur toward the direction changing paths 21 and 22.

[0024] On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, by providing the oil passage dividing groove 27c, the lubricating oil can be retained by the surface tension generated in the second oil supply groove 27b and the oil passage dividing groove 27c. Therefore, regardless of the posture of the slider 2 and without the need for another attachment or the like, a stable supply of the lubricating oil becomes possible, and it is also possible to use a combination of grease as the lubricating oil.

[0025] In FIG. 2, the oil supply groove 27 branches in the horizontal and vertical directions between the side oil supply hole 26 and the through hole 23. The horizontal oil supply groove 27H that branches in the horizontal direction heads toward the through hole 23 side, passes around the through hole 23, and reaches the central oil supply hole 25. On the other hand, the vertical oil supply groove 27V that branches in the vertical direction heads toward the direction changing paths 21 and 22. A part of the vertical oil supply groove 27V branches at the center of the direction changing path 21, and the branched first oil supply groove 27V1 communicates with both openings (ends) of the direction changing path 21. Also, it branches at the center of the direction changing path 22, and the branched second oil supply groove 27V2 communicates with both openings of the direction changing path 22. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the horizontal oil supply groove 27H is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the vertical oil supply groove 27V.

[0026] Fig. 4(a) is an enlarged view of a portion of longitudinal oil groove 27V, and Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB of Fig. 4(a). Fig. 4(c) is an enlarged schematic view of part A of Fig. 4(a), and Fig. 4(d) is an enlarged schematic view of part B of Fig. 4(a). Unless otherwise specified, references to cross sections of first oil groove 27a, second oil groove 27b, and oil passage separating groove 27c refer to cross sections obtained by cutting them along a plane perpendicular to the direction in which first oil groove 27a extends.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, by installing a groove (second oil groove 27b) or oil path separating groove 27c in the lubricating oil supply path, it is possible not only to store the lubricating oil whose supply is temporarily reduced, but also to prevent a shortage of supply due to the movement of lubricating oil caused by gravity or other operating forces by retaining the lubricating oil in the groove portion using surface tension.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the linear guide device according to the first embodiment, mounted at an angle of 45° about the longitudinal axis. When the linear guide device is mounted at an angle of, for example, 45° relative to the horizontal, as shown in FIG. 5, approximately the same amount of lubricating oil is supplied to the lateral oil groove 27H arranged in the body portion 2c and the longitudinal oil groove 27V arranged in the sleeve portion 2d. However, when the mounting angle exceeds 45°, more lubricating oil is supplied to the lateral oil groove 27H than to the longitudinal oil groove 27V. Therefore, the effect of gravity on the lubricating oil flowing through both oil grooves must be taken into consideration, and the function of the oil passage separating groove 27c, which retains the lubricating oil, becomes important.

[0029] Here, the cross-sectional area S and cross-sectional circumferential length C of second oil groove 27b are determined under conditions where the lubricating oil is subject to the maximum effect of gravity (where second oil groove 27b is aligned with the direction of gravity and the direction of movement of the lubricating oil in second oil groove 27b is opposite to gravity, as shown in Figure 4(a)). 4(b), where b is the groove width and h is the groove depth, the cross-sectional area of ​​second oil groove 27b is S=b×h and the circumferential length of the cross section of second oil groove 27b is C=b+2h. In other words, the area of ​​the cross section obtained by cutting second oil groove 27b in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which second oil groove 27b extends is S, and the sum of the lengths of the side and bottom surfaces (portions in contact with end cap 2B) of second oil groove 27b in that cross section is C. However, oil passage separating groove 27c does not share the side surface and bottom surface with second oil groove 27b, and has a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​second oil groove 27b when viewed in the direction of FIG. 4(b).

[0030] Here, it is assumed that depth h of second oil groove 27b is extremely short (less than 1 / 20) compared with distance L between nearest oil passage separating grooves 27c along second oil groove 27b, lubricating oil LB in second oil groove 27b has surface tension σ, and second oil groove 27b is always filled with lubricating oil LB in the cross-sectional direction. In other words, the cross-sectional circumferential length C at which surface tension σ occurs is always constant. In this case, the cross-sectional area S and cross-sectional circumferential length C of second oil groove 27b can be made to satisfy the following formula (1) to maximize the effect of gravity. SLρg≦Cσ(cosθ1+cosθ2)…(1) However, the symbols in the formula have the following meanings. S: Cross-sectional area of ​​second oil groove 27b (m 2 ) L: Range length (m) of lubricating oil LB filling one section of second oil groove 27b by oil passage separating groove 27c (the distance between the nearest oil passage separating grooves 27c along second oil groove 27b) ρ: Density of lubricating oil LB (kg / m 3 ) g: Gravitational acceleration (m / s 2 ) C: circumferential length of cross section of second oil groove 27b (m) σ: Surface tension of lubricating oil LB in second oil groove 27b and oil passage separating groove 27c (N / m) θ1, θ2: contact angles (°) of both ends of lubricating oil LB within one section of second oil groove 27b due to oil passage separating groove 27c

[0031] (First Modification) Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 3 of a first modified example. Oil groove 27A has first oil groove 27a having a rectangular cross-sectional shape formed in back surface 2e of the end cap, second oil groove 27Ab arranged parallel to first oil groove 27a at the center of bottom surface 27d of first oil groove 27a, and oil passage separating groove 27Ac separating second oil groove 27Ab in the vertical direction. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] Second oil groove 27Ab has an isosceles triangular shape that narrows toward the back end when viewed in the direction of Fig. 6, and oil passage separating groove 27Ac is a thin, notched recess that has a generally isosceles triangular shape that is wider and deeper than second oil groove 27Ab. Note that the cross-sectional shapes of second oil groove 27Ab and oil passage separating groove 27Ac may also be trapezoidal shapes that narrow toward the bottom.

[0033] By giving second oil groove 27Ab a triangular cross section, it is possible to reduce the cross-sectional area S while maintaining the cross-sectional circumferential length C, compared to a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Therefore, as is clear from equation (1) above, the weight of lubricating oil passing through second oil groove 27Ab can be significantly reduced relative to the surface tension. This allows the lubricating oil to be firmly held and flows quickly, improving lubrication.

[0034] (Second Modification) Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 3 of a second modified example. Oil groove 27B has first oil groove 27a with a rectangular cross-sectional shape formed in back surface 2e of the end cap, two second oil grooves 27Bb arranged parallel to first oil groove 27a in bottom surface 27d of first oil groove 27a, and oil passage separating groove 27Bc separating each second oil groove 27Ab in the vertical direction. The rest of the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, so description will be omitted.

[0035] Each second oil groove 27Bb has a common rectangular cross-sectional shape when viewed in the direction of Figure 7, and oil passage separating groove 27Bc is a thin notched recess and has a roughly rectangular cross-sectional shape that is wider and deeper than second oil groove 27Ab.

[0036] By disposing two second oil supply grooves 27Bb, the total amount of lubricating oil passing through the second oil supply groove 27Ab can be increased. Three or more second oil supply grooves 27Bb may be disposed.

[0037] (Third Modification Example) FIG. 8 is a view showing an enlarged view of the vertical oil supply groove 27VC near the direction changing path 21 according to the third modification example. A part of the vertical oil supply groove 27VC formed on the back surface 2e of the end cap branches in opposite directions at the center of the direction changing path 21, and the branched first oil supply groove 27VC1 communicates with both openings of the direction changing path 21.

[0038] The first oil supply groove 27VC1 has a first horizontal oil supply groove 27Va having a rectangular cross-sectional shape and a second horizontal oil supply groove 27Vb disposed at the center of the bottom surface of the first horizontal oil supply groove 27Va. The first horizontal oil supply groove 27Va intersects the first oil supply groove 27a of the vertical oil supply groove 27VC, and the second horizontal oil supply groove 27Vb intersects the second oil supply groove 27b of the vertical oil supply groove 27VC. If the width of the second horizontal oil supply groove 27Vb at the position where it intersects the second oil supply groove 27b is b2 and the width of the second horizontal oil supply groove 27Vb at the position where it intersects the opening (end portion) of the direction changing path 21 is b1, then b1 < b2, but the depth from the bottom surface of the first horizontal oil supply groove 27Va is common. That is, since the second horizontal oil supply groove 27Vb has a shape with a narrower width (tapered) toward the opening of the direction changing path 21, its cross-sectional perimeter C and cross-sectional area S decrease toward the opening of the direction changing path 21. The depth of the second horizontal oil supply groove 27Vb may be made shallower toward the opening of the direction changing path 21. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[0039] Since the cross-sectional perimeter C and cross-sectional area S of the second horizontal oil supply groove 27Vb decrease toward the opening of the direction changing path 21, when the lubricating oil is pushed out into the direction changing path 21 by oil supply, it is likely to overflow from the second horizontal oil supply groove 27Vb. Also, since the surface tension becomes smaller near the direction changing path 21, the lubricating oil is likely to be discharged toward the direction changing path 21. Although not shown, the second oil supply groove connected to the direction changing path 22 can also have a similar configuration.

[0040] (Second embodiment) Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the periphery of central oil feed hole 25D according to the second embodiment. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, lateral oil feed groove 27H formed in back surface 2e of the end cap is connected to central oil feed hole 25D. Lateral oil feed groove 27H is connected to form part of central oil feed hole 25D and has first oil groove 27Ha extending along the inner circumference of central oil feed hole 25D, second oil groove 27Hb disposed in the center of the bottom surface of first oil groove 27Ha, and oil passage separating groove 27Hc separating second oil groove 27Hb in the vertical direction. The inner circumferential surface of large diameter portion 25Db forms one sidewall of first oil groove 27Ha.

[0041] 10, the central oil supply hole 25D has a threaded portion 25Da formed on the front surface 2f of the end cap 2B, a large-diameter portion 25Db formed on the back surface 2e, and an intermediate portion 25Dc connecting the threaded portion 25Da and the large-diameter portion 25Db. A grease nipple GN (FIG. 1) is screwed into the threaded portion 25Da, and lubricating oil is supplied from the outside via the grease nipple GN.

[0042] The inner diameter of intermediate portion 25Dc is smaller than the inner diameter of large diameter portion 25Db, and an annular groove is formed in the bottom surface of large diameter portion 25Db (first oil groove 27Ha), and this groove becomes second oil groove 27Hb. Two beam portions 25De are formed radially from the inner circumferential surface of intermediate portion 25Dc. Beam portions 25De intersect in the center to form a cross shape.

[0043] A cross-shaped receiving groove 25Df ​​is formed along the center of beam portion 25De on the side of thread portion 25Da. An end of receiving groove 25Df ​​connects to second oil groove 27Hb and communicates with large diameter portion 25Db. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] Depending on the position of the slider 2, it may be difficult for the lubricating oil flowing in from the thread portion 25Da side to enter the second oil groove 27Hb. According to this embodiment, a lubricating oil receiving groove 25Df ​​is provided on the thread portion 25Da side of the beam portion 25De protruding from the inner periphery of the intermediate portion 25Dc. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 10, the lubricating oil received in the receiving groove 25Df ​​can flow into the second oil groove 27Hb. This facilitates the flow of lubricating oil from the central oil feed hole 25D to the second oil groove 27Hb, thereby reducing the loss of lubricating oil supply. Note that the lubricating oil not received in the receiving groove 25Df ​​passes through the space between the inner periphery of the intermediate portion 25Dc and the beam portion 25De, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 10, toward the large diameter portion 25Db side and is used to lubricate the slider body 2A.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention also contemplates the mutual combination of the various components of the embodiments, as well as modifications and applications by those skilled in the art based on the description in the specification and well-known techniques, and these modifications and applications are included in the scope of protection sought. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Guide rail 2 Slider 2A slider body 2B End Cap 21,22 Turning Point 25, 25D central oil filler hole 27, 27A, 27B Oil groove 27H Horizontal oil groove 27V, 27VC Vertical oil groove 27a, 27Ha First oil groove 27b, 27Ab, 27Bb, 27Hb 2nd oil groove 27c, 27Ac, ​​27Bc, 27Hc Oil passage dividing groove

Claims

1. Guide rails and a slider disposed so as to move relative to the guide rail in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of rolling elements arranged to roll freely along a rolling element rolling path formed between the guide rail and the slider, The slider includes: a slider body having raceway grooves arranged opposite to the raceway grooves of the guide rail to form rolling paths for the rolling elements, and having return paths for the rolling elements; an end cap having a direction change path connecting the return path and the rolling element rolling path, The end cap is A fuel filler hole, an oil supply groove connecting the oil supply hole and the direction change path; The oil supply groove is a first oil groove having a bottom surface parallel to a surface of the end cap facing the slider body; a second oil groove that is located in a bottom surface of the first oil groove and is arranged along the first oil groove; an oil passage separating groove formed in a bottom surface of the first oil groove so as to separate the second oil groove, the oil passage separating groove is a recessed portion having a width and a depth greater than the width and the depth of the second oil groove, A linear guide device characterized by:

2. When an area (referred to as a cross-sectional area) of a cross section obtained by cutting the second oil groove along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second oil groove extends is denoted by S, and a sum of lengths of a side surface and a bottom surface of the second oil groove in the cross section (referred to as a cross-sectional circumferential length) is denoted by C, the following formula (1) is satisfied:

2. The linear guide device according to claim 1. SLρg≦Cσ(cosθ １ +cosθ ２ ) (1) However, the symbols in the formula have the following meanings. S: cross-sectional area of ​​the second oil groove (m ２ ), L: Range length (m) of lubricating oil filling one section of the second oil groove due to the oil passage separation groove ρ: density of lubricating oil passing through the second oil groove (kg / m ３ ), g: acceleration due to gravity (m / s²) ２ ), C: cross-sectional circumferential length (m) of the second oil groove, σ: surface tension (N / m) of the lubricating oil in the second oil groove and the oil passage separating groove, θ1, θ2: contact angles (°) of the lubricating oil at both ends within one section of the second oil groove due to the oil passage separating groove

3. The second oil groove and the oil passage separating groove have cross-sectional shapes that are triangular or trapezoidal and narrow in width as they move away from the first oil groove.

3. The linear guide device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a plurality of the second oil grooves and a plurality of the oil passage separating grooves are arranged on a bottom surface of the first oil groove; 3. The linear guide device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the second oil groove communicating with the direction change passage has a cross-sectional area and a cross-sectional circumferential length that decrease toward the direction change passage; 3. The linear guide device according to claim 2.

6. The oil supply hole is a beam portion protruding from an inner periphery of the oil fill hole; a receiving groove formed in the beam portion and communicating with the second oil groove, The lubricating oil supplied to the oil supply hole flows into the second oil supply groove via the receiving groove.

3. The linear guide device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. an inner circumferential surface of the oil feed hole is common to a side surface of the first oil groove; 7. The linear guide device according to claim 6.

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