Straight-curved guide rail and straight-curved guide device

Abstract

To provide a straight curved guide rail capable of suppressing impact when a mover transfers between a rail with low machining accuracy and a rail with high machining accuracy.SOLUTION: A straight curved guide rail comprises a straight part and a curved part, and is for guiding the movement of a mover. The straight curved guide rail includes: a base part extending in a longitudinal direction of the straight curved guide rail; and a track part provided on the base part, extending in the longitudinal direction, and having a pair of rail ends including a track surface in contact with the mover on both side parts in a width direction of the straight curved guide rail. The straight curved guide rail comprises a low-rigidity region in a region including an end part in the longitudinal direction, in which the rigidity of a portion including the track surface is lower than that of the other region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a straight-curve guide rail and a straight-curve guide device including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a guide device including a rail and a movable element that can move on the rail has been known. This type of technology is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

[0003] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose linear guide devices that include a rail, a slider that is linearly movable on the rail, and a plurality of rolling elements that are disposed between the rail and the slider. In the linear guide device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a slit having a predetermined depth in the height direction of the rail extends longitudinally from an end of the rail in the longitudinal direction. In the linear guide device disclosed in Patent Document 2, a slit is formed at the end of the rail in the longitudinal direction, spanning the entire height of the rail. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-163483 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-166634 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned guide device, multiple rails are arranged in a longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal ends of the rails are connected to each other. In this case, if there is a large difference in processing accuracy between the rails, a large impact may occur when the mover transfers from one rail to the other. In particular, in the case of a curved guide rail that includes a curved portion, processing accuracy is more likely to be reduced than in the case of a straight rail that does not include a curved portion.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a straight-curve guide rail that can suppress the impact when a movable element transfers between a rail with low processing accuracy and a rail with high processing accuracy, and a straight-curve guide device equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A straight-curved guide rail according to the present disclosure includes a straight portion and a curved portion and is used to guide the movement of a mover. The straight-curved guide rail includes a base portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the straight-curved guide rail, and a track portion provided on the base portion, extending in the longitudinal direction, and having a pair of rail ends on both sides in the width direction of the straight-curved guide rail, the rail ends including a track surface that contacts the mover. The straight-curved guide rail includes a low-rigidity region in a region including the longitudinal end, where the rigidity of the portion including the track surface is lower than that of other regions.

[0008] The straight-curve guide device according to the present disclosure includes the straight-curve guide rail and a mover movable on the straight-curve guide rail. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a straight-curve guide rail that can suppress the impact when a movable element transfers between a rail with low processing accuracy and a rail with high processing accuracy, and a straight-curve guide device equipped with the same. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a straight / curve guide device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view of the straight / curve guide device according to the first embodiment, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the straight / curve guide rail. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the straight-curved guide rail according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the straight-curved guide rail taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which two straight-curved guide rails according to the second embodiment are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of region VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the straight guide rail taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a straight-curved guide rail according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which two straight-curved guide rails according to the third embodiment are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the straight-curved guide rail taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the straight-curved guide rail taken along line XI-XI in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which two straight-curved guide rails according to the fourth embodiment are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of region XIII in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the straight-curved guide rail taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a straight-curved guide rail according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which two straight-curved guide rails according to the fifth embodiment are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of region XVII in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the straight guide rail taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a straight-curved guide rail according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along the height direction of a straight-curved guide rail according to another embodiment. [Figure 21]FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a straight-curved guide rail according to another embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a straight-curved guide rail according to another embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a view of a straight-curved guide rail according to another embodiment, viewed in the longitudinal direction. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a view of the longitudinal end of a straight-curved guide rail according to another embodiment, viewed in the width direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Outline of the embodiment] A straight-curved guide rail according to the present disclosure includes a straight portion and a curved portion and is used to guide the movement of a mover. The straight-curved guide rail includes a base portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the straight-curved guide rail, and a track portion provided on the base portion, extending in the longitudinal direction, and having a pair of rail ends on both sides in the width direction of the straight-curved guide rail, the rail ends including a track surface that contacts the mover. The straight-curved guide rail includes a low-rigidity region in a region including the longitudinal end, where the rigidity of the portion including the track surface is lower than that of other regions.

[0012] In the straight-curved guide rail, the rigidity of the portion including the track surface is lower in the low-rigidity region than in other regions, making the track more flexible. Therefore, the deflection of the track can mitigate the impact that may occur when the mover transfers between a rail with low processing accuracy and a rail with high processing accuracy. Therefore, the straight-curved guide rail can suppress the impact that occurs when the mover transfers between a rail with low processing accuracy and a rail with high processing accuracy.

[0013] In the straight-curve guide rail, in the low-rigidity region, the base portion may include a first base portion having a widthwise length smaller than that of the track portion, and a second base portion connecting the first base portion and the track portion and having a widthwise length smaller than that of the first base portion. With this configuration, the track portion is more easily flexible in the low-rigidity region, making it possible to more effectively suppress impacts that may occur when the mover transfers between rails.

[0014] In the straight-curve guide rail, the track portion may include a first track portion overlapping the base portion in the height direction of the straight-curve guide rail, and a pair of second track portions provided on both sides of the first track portion in the width direction and having a pair of rail ends. In the low-rigidity region, the track portion may have a first notch portion formed by cutting out a portion of the track portion from an end in the longitudinal direction so as to spatially separate the first track portion and the second track portion. With this configuration, the track portion becomes more flexible in the low-rigidity region, thereby more effectively suppressing impacts that may occur when the mover transfers between rails.

[0015] In the straight-curve guide rail, the track portion may include a first track portion that overlaps with the base portion in the height direction of the straight-curve guide rail, and a pair of second track portions that are provided on both sides of the first track portion in the width direction and have a pair of rail ends. In the low-rigidity region, the track portion may have a second cutout portion formed by removing the first track portion from an end portion in the longitudinal direction. With this configuration, the track portion becomes more flexible in the low-rigidity region, so that impacts that may occur when the mover transfers between rails can be more effectively suppressed.

[0016] The straight-curve guide device according to the present disclosure includes the straight-curve guide rail and a mover movable on the straight-curve guide rail.

[0017] [Specific example of embodiment] Next, specific embodiments of the straight-curve guide rail and straight-curve guide device of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters, and their description will not be repeated.

[0018] (Embodiment 1) First, the configurations of the straight-curve guide device 1 and the straight-curve guide rail 2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the straight-curve guide device 1. Fig. 2 is a view of the straight-curve guide device 1 as seen in the longitudinal direction D1 of the straight-curve guide rail 2. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the straight-curve guide rail 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the straight-curve guide rail 2 taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the straight-curve guide device 1 mainly comprises the straight-curve guide rail 2 and a mover 3 that is movable on the straight-curve guide rail 2.

[0019] The straight-curved guide rail 2 guides the movement of the mover 3. Although only a portion (low-rigidity region 4) of the straight-curved guide rail 2 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the straight-curved guide rail 2 includes a straight portion and a curved portion. As shown in FIG. 1, the straight-curved guide rail 2 includes a base portion 11 extending in a longitudinal direction D1 of the straight-curved guide rail 2, and a track portion 12 provided on the base portion 11 and extending in the longitudinal direction D1. The track portion 12 has a pair of rail ends 15, each of which includes a track surface that contacts the mover 3 (swing portion), on both sides of the straight-curved guide rail 2 in a width direction D2. As shown in FIG. 2, the rail ends 15 in this embodiment have a shape in which the thickness in the height direction D3 of the straight-curved guide rail 2 decreases toward the outside in the width direction D2, but is not limited to this.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the straight-curve guide rail 2 has bolt holes 24 formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction D1, into which bolts for fixing the straight-curve guide rail 2 to a mating member (not shown) are inserted. The bolt holes 24 are circular holes when viewed in the height direction D3. As shown in FIG. 4, the bolt holes 24 are formed so as to penetrate the straight-curve guide rail 2 in the height direction D3. More specifically, the bolt holes 24 include a first hole formed in the track portion 12 and a second hole formed in the base portion 11 and communicating with the first hole. The first hole is a portion into which the head of a bolt (not shown) is inserted. The second hole is a portion into which the shank of the bolt is inserted, and has an inner diameter smaller than that of the first hole.

[0021] 4, in the low rigidity region 4, the base portion 11 includes a first base portion 13 and a second base portion 14 provided on the first base portion 13. The length W1 of the first base portion 13 in the width direction D2 is smaller than the length W3 of the track portion 12 in the width direction D2 (the length from one rail end 15 to the other rail end 15).

[0022] The second base portion 14 is a portion that connects the first base portion 13 and the track portion 12. As shown in Fig. 4, the length W2 of the second base portion 14 in the width direction D2 is smaller than the length W1 of the first base portion 13 in the width direction D2. In this embodiment, in the cross section of the straight-curved guide rail 2 taken along the height direction D3 (Fig. 4), the outer surface 14A of the second base portion 14 in the width direction D2 is a curved surface that bulges in an arc shape toward the inside in the width direction D2, but is not limited to this.

[0023] The straight-curved guide rail 2 includes a low-rigidity region 4 in an area including the end in the longitudinal direction D1 (FIG. 3). In the low-rigidity region 4, the length W2 of the second base portion 14 in the width direction D2 is smaller than the length W1 of the first base portion 13 in the width direction D2, so that the rigidity of the portion including the track surface (rail end 15) is lower than that of other areas (for example, the rail central region not shown).

[0024] 4, the track portion 12 includes a first track portion 17 and a pair of second track portions 18 provided on both sides of the first track portion 17 in the width direction D2. The first track portion 17 is a portion that overlaps with the base portion 11 in the height direction D3. The second track portions 18 are portions that are located outward of the base portion 11 in the width direction D2 and include the rail ends 15.

[0025] 1, the mover 3 is disposed so as to straddle the straight / curved guide rail 2 in the width direction D2. The mover 3 includes a first bearing portion 21, a second bearing portion 22, and an arm portion .

[0026] The arm portion 23 extends in the width direction D2 and is perpendicular to the straight-curved guide rail 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the length of the arm portion 23 in the width direction D2 is greater than the length of the straight-curved guide rail 2 in the width direction D2. The arm portion 23 is disposed so as to straddle the upper side of the straight-curved guide rail 2 in the height direction D3.

[0027] The first bearing portion 21 is disposed on one side (one end) of the arm portion 23 when viewed from the center in the longitudinal direction (width direction D2 of the straight-curved guide rail 2). As shown in Fig. 1, the first bearing portion 21 includes a first shaft member 31 (first stud), a first outer ring 32, and a first guide roller 33. The first shaft member 31 penetrates the arm portion 23 in the height direction D3, and is fixed to one end of the arm portion 23 in the longitudinal direction.

[0028] The first outer ring 32 has an annular shape surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft member 31 and is disposed on one end (the upper end in FIG. 1 ) of the first shaft member 31. Between a raceway formed on the outer peripheral surface of the one end of the first shaft member 31 and a raceway formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first outer ring 32, rolling elements (not shown), such as cylindrical rollers, are arranged in a circumferential direction. The first outer ring 32 is attached to a frame (not shown) of the mover 3. As shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of bolt holes 32A (four in this embodiment) are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on one end face of the first outer ring 32. The bolt holes 32A have a predetermined depth in the height direction D3 and are female screw holes with threads (not shown) formed on the wall surface. The first outer ring 32 is attached to the frame by inserting bolts (not shown) into the bolt holes 32A. The arm portion 23 is not limited to being cantilevered relative to the frame at one longitudinal end as in this embodiment. For example, Arm part 23 The central portion in the longitudinal direction of the support member may be attached to the frame.

[0029] The first guide roller 33 is disposed on the other end (lower end in FIG. 1) side of the first shaft member 31, with the arm portion 23 sandwiched between it and the first outer ring 32. The first guide roller 33 has an annular shape that surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft member 31. Rolling elements (not shown), such as cylindrical rollers, are arranged in the circumferential direction between a raceway surface formed on the outer peripheral surface of the other end of the first shaft member 31 and a raceway surface formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first guide roller 33. As shown in FIG. 1, a first rail groove 33A having an annular shape is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first guide roller 33, with which the rail end 15 (raceway surface) comes into contact.

[0030] The second bearing portion 22 is disposed on the other side (other end) when viewed from the center in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 23. As shown in FIG. 1, the second bearing portion 22 includes a second shaft member 41 (second stud), a nut 42, an eccentric collar 44, and a second guide roller 43.

[0031] The second shaft member 41 penetrates the arm portion 23 in the height direction D3 and is fixed to the other longitudinal end of the arm portion 23. The nut 42 is fastened to a male thread portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of one end (the upper end in FIG. 1) of the second shaft member 41. The eccentric collar 44 is an annular member whose radial thickness varies circumferentially. The eccentric collar 44 is inserted into the gap between the wall surface of a through hole (not shown) in the arm portion 23, into which the second shaft member 41 is inserted, and the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft member 41.

[0032] The second guide roller 43 is disposed on the other end (lower end in FIG. 1 ) of the second shaft member 41, with the arm portion 23 sandwiched between the second guide roller 43 and the nut 42. The second guide roller 43 has an annular shape surrounding the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft member 41. Rolling elements (not shown), such as cylindrical rollers, are arranged circumferentially between a raceway surface formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second shaft member 41 at the other end and a raceway surface formed on the inner circumferential surface of the second guide roller 43. As shown in FIG. 1 , an annular second rail groove 43A is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second guide roller 43, with which the rail end 15 (raceway surface) comes into contact. The second guide roller 43 is disposed between the first guide roller 33 and the straight-curved guide rail 2 in the width direction D2. The swing portion of the movable element 3 (the portion consisting of the first bearing portion 21, the second bearing portion 22 and the arm portion 23) moves in the longitudinal direction D1 while bringing the first rail groove 33A and the second rail groove 43A into contact with the track surfaces of the pair of rail ends 15, respectively.

[0033] As described above, in the straight-curved guide rail 2 according to this embodiment, the rigidity of the portion including the track surface is lower in the low-rigidity region 4 than in other regions, making the track portion 12 more flexible. Therefore, the deflection of the track portion 12 can mitigate the impact that may occur when the mover 3 transfers between a rail with low processing accuracy and a rail with high processing accuracy. Therefore, the straight-curved guide rail 2 according to this embodiment can suppress the impact that occurs when the mover 3 transfers between a rail with low processing accuracy and a rail with high processing accuracy.

[0034] (Embodiment 2) Next, the configuration of a straight-curved guide rail 2A according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 8. Embodiment 2 is basically the same as embodiment 1 above, but differs in that a first notch 51 is formed in the low rigidity region 4. The differences from embodiment 1 above will be described below.

[0035] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing two straight-curved guide rails 2A arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction D1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of area VI in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the straight-curved guide rail 2A taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the straight-curved guide rail 2A.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6 , in the low-rigidity region 4, the raceway 12 has a plurality of first cutouts 51 (two in this embodiment) formed in the raceway 12 by cutting out a portion of the raceway 12 from an end in the longitudinal direction D1. In this embodiment, the first cutouts 51 are slits that extend linearly in the longitudinal direction D1 from an end of the raceway 12 in the longitudinal direction D1. The length of the first cutouts 51 in the longitudinal direction D1 (slit length L1) is greater than the length of the first cutouts 51 in the width direction D2 (slit width). For example, when the first cutouts 51 are processed using a cutting wheel, the slit width of the first cutouts 51 is 0.5 mm or more. On the other hand, when the first cutouts 51 are processed using wire-discharge cutting, the slit width of the first cutouts 51 is 0.05 mm or more. Note that the above-mentioned numerical values ​​of the slit width of the first cutouts 51 are merely examples and are not limiting.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 7, in the low rigidity region 4, the first cutout portion 51 penetrates the track portion 12 in the height direction D3 and spatially separates the first track portion 17 and the second track portion 18. In this embodiment, the first cutout portion 51 is a rectangular slit when viewed in the longitudinal direction D1. In the straight-curve guide rail 2A according to this embodiment, by forming the first cutout portion 51 in the track portion 12, the rigidity of the portion including the track surface in the low rigidity region 4 is smaller than that in the first embodiment.

[0038] In the straight-curved guide rail 2A according to this embodiment, the length of the second base portion 14 in the width direction D2 is smaller than the length of the first base portion 13 in the width direction D2, and in addition, the first cutout portion 51 is formed in the track portion 12. Therefore, the track portion 12 is more likely to bend in the low rigidity region 4. Therefore, the straight-curved guide rail 2A can more effectively suppress the impact that may occur when the mover 3 transfers between a rail with low processing accuracy and a rail with high processing accuracy.

[0039] (Embodiment 3) Next, the configuration of a straight-curved guide rail 2B according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. The third embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, but differs in that the second notch 52 and the third notch 53 are formed in the straight-curved guide rail 2B. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0040] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing two straight-curved guide rails 2B arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the straight-curved guide rail 2B taken along line XX in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the straight-curved guide rail 2B taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 9.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9, in the low-rigidity region 4, the track portion 12 has a second cutout portion 52 formed by removing a part of the first track portion 17 from an end portion in the longitudinal direction D1. The second cutout portion 52 is a slit that extends linearly in the longitudinal direction D1 from an end portion in the longitudinal direction D1 of the first track portion 17. The length of the second cutout portion 52 in the longitudinal direction D1 (slit length) is greater than the length of the second cutout portion 52 in the width direction D2 (slit width). The slit width of the second cutout portion 52 may be substantially the same as the slit width of the first cutout portion 51 in the second embodiment, but is not limited to this. In the low-rigidity region 4, the base portion 11 has a second base portion 14 formed by removing a part of the first track portion 17 from an end portion in the longitudinal direction D1. Part ofThe second notch 52 and the third notch 53 are connected to each other. The second notch 52 may be formed by cutting. In this case, the slit width of the second notch 52 is larger than the slit width of the third notch 53 (length in the height direction D3).

[0042] As shown in FIG. 10, the second cutout 52 is a slit extending in the height direction D3 when viewed in the longitudinal direction D1. The second cutout 52 penetrates the first track portion 17 in the height direction D3 at approximately the center in the width direction D2. The third cutout 53 is a slit extending linearly in the width direction D2 when viewed in the longitudinal direction D1. The third cutout 53 penetrates the second base portion 14 in the width direction D2. As shown in FIG. 10, the second cutout 52 and the third cutout 53 are perpendicular to each other when viewed in the longitudinal direction D1. As shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, the length of the third cutout 53 in the longitudinal direction D1 (slit length L3) is greater than the length of the second cutout 52 in the longitudinal direction D1 (slit length L2), but this is not limited to this.

[0043] In the straight-curved guide rail 2B according to the present embodiment, the length of the second base portion 14 in the width direction D2 is smaller than the length of the first base portion 13 in the width direction D2, and in addition, the second notch 52 and the third notch 53 are formed. This makes the track portion 12 more flexible in the low rigidity region 4. Therefore, the straight-curved guide rail 2B can effectively suppress the impact that may occur when the mover 3 transfers between a rail with low processing accuracy and a rail with high processing accuracy.

[0044] (Fourth embodiment) Next, the configuration of a straight / curved guide rail 2C according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 15. The fourth embodiment is basically the same as the third embodiment, but differs in that the third cutout portion is not formed and in the size of the second cutout portion (the area of ​​the track portion 12 removed). The differences from the third embodiment will be described below.

[0045] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing two straight-curved guide rails 2C according to embodiment 4 arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction D1. Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of area XIII in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the straight-curved guide rail 2C taken along line XIV-XIV in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the straight-curved guide rail 2C.

[0046] 13 and 14, the second cutout portion 52A in this embodiment is formed by removing the entire first raceway portion 17 within a predetermined range from the end portion in the longitudinal direction D1 and by removing a part (a part on the first raceway portion 17 side) of the second raceway portion 18. As shown in Fig. 12, the second cutout portion 52A is formed so that the wall surface opposite the end portion in the longitudinal direction D1 of the straight-curved guide rail 2C has an arc shape that bulges toward the bolt hole 24 side.

[0047] In the straight-curve guide rail 2C according to this embodiment, the area of ​​the second cutout portion is larger than that of the straight-curve guide rail 2B according to the above-described embodiment 3. Therefore, the track portion 12 is more easily flexible in the low rigidity region 4, and it is possible to more effectively suppress the impact that may occur when the mover 3 transfers between a rail with low processing accuracy and a rail with high processing accuracy.

[0048] (Embodiment 5) Next, the configuration of a straight / curved guide rail 2D according to embodiment 5 will be described with reference to Figs. 16 to 19. Embodiment 5 is basically the same as embodiment 4 above, but differs in that a third cutout portion 53A is further formed. The differences from embodiment 4 above will be described below.

[0049] Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing two straight-curved guide rails 2D arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction D1. Fig. 17 is an enlarged view of area XVII in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the straight-curved guide rail 2D taken along line XVIII-XVIII in Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the straight-curved guide rail 2D.

[0050] 18 and 19, in the fifth embodiment, the base portion 11 is partially cut out from an end portion in the longitudinal direction D1 to form a third cutout portion 53A that overlaps with the second cutout portion 52A in the height direction D3. As a result, the rigidity of the portion including the track surface in the low rigidity region 4 is lower than in the fourth embodiment, making the rail more flexible.

[0051] (Other embodiments) Here, other embodiments will be described.

[0052] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a straight-curved guide rail 2E according to another embodiment taken along the height direction D3. Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the straight-curved guide rail 2E. As shown in Fig. 21, in this embodiment, the amount of removal of the base portion 11 is greater than in the fifth embodiment.

[0053] Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a straight-curved guide rail 2F according to another embodiment. Fig. 23 is a view of the straight-curved guide rail 2F viewed in the longitudinal direction. Fig. 24 is a view of a portion including the longitudinal end of the straight-curved guide rail 2F viewed in the width direction. As shown in Fig. 22, the straight-curved guide rail 2F includes a straight portion 6 and a curved portion 7 connected to the longitudinal end of the straight portion 6.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 23, in the straight-curve guide rail 2F, the length of the base portion 11 in the width direction D2 is constant in the height direction D3. The track portion 12 is formed with a fourth notch 54, which is formed by cutting out a part of the track portion 12 from the end in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 23, the fourth notch 54 is a slit that extends linearly over the entire track portion 12 in the width direction D2. As shown in FIG. 24, the fourth notch 54 has a predetermined length (slit length L4) in the longitudinal direction D1 from the end in the longitudinal direction D1 of the straight-curve guide rail 2F. This allows the straight-curve guide rail 2F to be F 22, in the straight / curved guide rail 2F, the region where the fourth notch 54 is formed is the low-rigidity region 4.

[0055] In the low rigidity region 4, the notch may not be formed in the track portion 12, and the notch may be formed only in the base portion 11.

[0056] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Straight-curve guide device, 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F straight-curve guide rail, 3 mover, 4 low-rigidity region, 5 rail center region, 6 straight section, 7 curved section, 11 base section, 12 raceway section, 13 first base section, 14 second base section, 14A outer surface, 15 rail end, 17 first raceway section, 18 second raceway section, 21 first bearing section, 22 second bearing section, 23 arm section, 24, 32A bolt hole, 31 first shaft member, 32 first outer ring, 33 first guide roller, 33A first rail groove, 41 second shaft member, 42 nut, 43 second guide roller, 43A second rail groove, 44 eccentric collar, 51 first notch section, 52, 52A second notch section, 53, 53A third notch section, 54 Fourth notch: D1 longitudinal direction, D2 width direction, D3 height direction, L1, L2, L3, L4 slit length.

Claims

1. A straight / curved guide rail including a straight portion and a curved portion for guiding the movement of a mover, a base portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the straight-curved guide rail; a track portion provided on the base portion, extending in the longitudinal direction, and having a pair of rail ends on both sides in the width direction of the straight-curved guide rail, the rail ends including a track surface that contacts the movable element; the straight-curved guide rail includes a low-rigidity region in an area including the longitudinal end portion, in which the rigidity of a portion including the track surface is lower than that of other regions, In the low rigidity region, the base portion a first base portion having a length in the width direction smaller than that of the track portion; a second base portion that connects the first base portion and the track portion and has a length in the width direction that is smaller than that of the first base portion, Straight guide rail.

2. The track portion is a first track portion overlapping the base portion in a height direction of the straight-curved guide rail; a pair of second track portions provided on both sides of the first track portion in the width direction and having the pair of rail ends, 2. The straight-curve guide rail according to claim 1, wherein in the low rigidity region, a first notch is formed in the track portion by cutting out a portion of the track portion from the longitudinal end so as to spatially separate the first track portion and the second track portion.

3. The track portion is a first track portion overlapping the base portion in a height direction of the straight-curved guide rail; a pair of second track portions provided on both sides of the first track portion in the width direction and having the pair of rail ends, 2. The straight-curve guide rail according to claim 1, wherein in the low-rigidity region, the track portion has a second cutout portion formed by removing the first track portion from an end portion in the longitudinal direction.

4. The straight-curved guide rail according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a movable element that is movable on the straight / curve guide rail.

Images