Attachment for temporary shaft of linear guide device

Abstract

Provided is an attachment for a temporary shaft of a linear motion guide device, wherein: a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction of a rail side end part (43) has a size such that the shape of the cross-section smoothly expands from a temporary shaft side end part (42) toward the rail side end part (43); the size of a cross-section of the temporary shaft side end part (42) is equal to the size of a cross-section of an axial direction end part (31) of a temporary shaft (30); and the size of the cross-section of the rail side end part (43) is greater than the size of the cross-section of the temporary shaft side end part (42). The rail side end part (43) comprises a plate-shaped protrusion (47) that forms an outer surface and that protrudes in the axial direction. A plurality of elastic deformation parts which are each elastically deformable in a thickness direction are formed on the projection (47), and the plurality of elastic deformation parts are divided by a plurality of slits (49) extending in the axial direction. An elastic deformation part (60) at a position through which a rolling body (103) passes is wider than a raceway surface of the rolling body (103). Due to the foregoing, seal breakage and damage to the rolling body can be prevented when a slider is moved from the temporary shaft to a guide rail.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment for a temporary shaft of a linear guide device that is attached to the temporary shaft of the linear guide device. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a general linear guide device will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the linear guide device. Figure 7 is a front view of the linear guide device of Figure 6 as seen from the axial direction (however, end caps are omitted in the illustration). In the linear guide device 100, a slider 102 is mounted on a guide rail 101 that extends in the axial direction and has a generally rectangular cross section, so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction. The cross section of the slider 102 is generally inverted U-shaped, and the cross section of its inner surface is shaped to match the cross section of the outer surface of the guide rail 101. Two rolling element raceway surfaces 110, 110 extending in the axial direction are formed on both side surfaces 101a, 101a of this guide rail 101, respectively.

[0003] The slider 102 is composed of a slider body 102A and end caps 102B, 102B removably attached to both axial ends of the slider body 102A, and two rolling element track surfaces 111, 111, 111, 111 are formed on the inner surfaces of the left and right sleeve portions 106, 106 of the slider body 102A, facing the rolling element track surfaces 110, 110, 110, 110 of the guide rail 101.

[0004] Four rolling element rolling paths are formed by the rolling element raceway surfaces 110, 110, 110, 110 of the guide rail 101 and the rolling element raceway surfaces 111, 111, 111, 111 of both sleeve portions 106, 106. The number of rolling element raceway surfaces 110, 111 provided on the guide rail 101 and the slider 102 is not limited to two on each side, and may be, for example, one or three or more on each side.

[0005] Furthermore, within this rolling element rolling path, a plurality of rolling elements 103 are arranged along the axial direction and are free to roll, and the slider 102 moves smoothly in the axial direction along the guide rail 101 via the rolling of these rolling elements 103. When such a linear guide device 100 is attached to and used in an injection molding machine, a machine tool (for example, various grinding machines), a robot, etc., there is a risk that foreign matter such as dirt and dust will accumulate on the rolling element raceway surface 110 of the guide rail 101 and other exposed surfaces, causing problems with the rolling of the rolling elements 103. Therefore, it is common practice to attach a dust-proof side seal 105 to the end cap 102B.

[0006] That is, approximately plate-shaped side seals 105, 105 are attached to both axial ends of the slider 102 (axial end faces of each end cap 102B), and the portion of the opening of the gap between the guide rail 101 and the slider 102 that opens to the axial end face of the end cap 102B is sealed, preventing foreign matter from entering the gap from the outside and lubricant from leaking from the gap to the outside. Furthermore, an inner seal 109 is provided along the rolling element raceway surface 111 on the slider body 102A and the end cap 102B to prevent foreign matter such as dirt and dust that has entered the slider 102 beyond the side seal 105 from entering the rolling element raceway surfaces 110 and 111.

[0007] Also, mounting holes 107 are formed in the guide rail 101 so that the guide rail 101 can be fixed with bolts to an injection molding machine, a machine tool (for example, various grinding machines), a robot, etc. If foreign matter such as dirt and dust accumulates inside the mounting holes 107, the foreign matter such as dirt and dust may adhere to the rolling element raceway surface 111 of the slider 102 when the slider 102 passes above the mounting holes 107, which may hinder the smooth movement of the slider 102. Therefore, the top surface of the guide rail 101 is covered with, for example, a metal rail cover 108 to close the opening at the top of the mounting holes 107.

[0008] When assembling the linear guide device 100 by mounting the slider 102 on the guide rail 101, it is necessary to prevent the rolling elements 103 held in the slider 102 from falling off the rolling element raceway surface 111. For this reason, the slider 102 is temporarily assembled to a temporary shaft (not shown) made of resin and formed in approximately the same shape as the guide rail 101, and this temporary shaft is then arranged coaxially and in a straight line with the guide rail 101. The slider 102 on the temporary shaft is then moved axially onto the guide rail 101.

[0009] At this time, a step 130 is formed between the rail cover 108 and the upper surface or side surface 101a of the guide rail 101 exposed through the rail cover 108. A step may also be formed between both axial end surfaces of the opposing guide rail and temporary shaft. When the slider 102 is attached, these steps 130 come into contact with the side seal 105 and the inner seal 109, which may damage the side seal 105 and the inner seal 109. Furthermore, if the rail cover 108 interferes with the side seal 105 and the inner seal 109 when the slider 102 is attached, the slider 102 may not be able to move smoothly.

[0010] Patent Document 1 discloses a temporary shaft attachment for transferring a slider attached to a temporary shaft of a linear guide device from the temporary shaft to a guide rail. This temporary shaft attachment is arranged coaxially at one axial end of the guide rail, forms an outer surface with a cross-sectional shape larger than that of the temporary shaft, and is provided with a thin plate-like protruding portion at the end on the guide rail side that protrudes toward the guide rail and extends in the axial direction. A plurality of slits extending in the axial direction are formed in the protruding portion, and each protruding portion is elastically deformable inward.

[0011] As a result, the slider is moved from the temporary shaft to the guide rail while the side seals and inner seal of the slider are pressed by the protruding portions that expand outward, preventing damage to the side seals and inner seal due to steps or the like that may occur when the slider transfers from the temporary shaft to the guide rail. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-67838 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] However, in the temporary shaft attachment described in Patent Document 1, if the slits formed in the protrusions are positioned on the rolling paths along which the rolling elements move, depending on the position of the slits, the passing of the rolling elements may cause the protrusions to deform in unintended directions, potentially damaging the side seal or inner seal. Also, the rolling elements may pass through the edges of the slits, potentially damaging the rolling elements.

[0014] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for a temporary shaft of a linear guide device that can prevent breakage of the seal and damage to the rolling elements when moving the slider from the temporary shaft to the guide rail. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration. (1) A linear guide device includes a guide rail and a slider that can move relative to the guide rail in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail via rolling elements. When the slider is moved from the temporary shaft to the guide rail using the temporary shaft to which the slider is attached, the attachment for the temporary shaft of the linear guide device is used by being attached coaxially and linearly between the axial end of the temporary shaft and the axial end of the guide rail, When the axial end portion of the rail-side end is opposite to the axial end portion of the guide rail, the axial end portion of the rail-side end is defined as a temporary shaft-side end portion, and the axial end portion of the rail-side end is defined as a rail-side end portion. The size of a cross section of the rail-side end portion cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the rail-side end portion is gradually increased from the temporary shaft-side end portion toward the rail-side end portion. The cross-sectional size of the temporary shaft side end is equal to the cross-sectional size of the axial end of the temporary shaft to be attached, and the cross-sectional size of the rail side end is larger than the cross-sectional size of the temporary shaft side end, the rail-side end portion includes a plate-like protruding portion that forms an outer surface of the rail-side end portion and protrudes in the axial direction, The protruding portion is partitioned by a plurality of slits extending in the axial direction, and a plurality of elastic deformation portions are formed, each of which is elastically deformable in the thickness direction; The attachment for a temporary shaft of a linear guide device, wherein the elastically deforming portion at a position where the rolling element passes over the outer surface is wider than the rolling surface of the rolling element. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the attachment for the temporary shaft of the linear guide device of the present invention, when the slider is moved from the temporary shaft to the guide rail, the rolling surface of the rolling element is prevented from passing through the edge portion of the slit, and deformation of the protrusion in an unintended direction is suppressed, thereby preventing damage to the seal and damage to the rolling element. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a slider is moved from a temporary shaft to a guide rail using a temporary shaft attachment of a linear guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] 2A is a perspective view showing the state before the temporary shaft attachment and temporary shaft shown in FIG. 1 are assembled, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the state after the temporary shaft attachment and temporary shaft are assembled. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the temporary shaft attachment shown in FIG. [Figure 4]4 is a front view of the temporary shaft attachment shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view of a temporary shaft attachment of a linear guide device according to a modified example, as viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a linear guide device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the linear guide device of FIG. 6 as seen from the axial direction (however, end caps are omitted in the illustration). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a temporary shaft attachment for a linear guide device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The temporary shaft attachment of this embodiment is used to transfer the slider assembled to the temporary shaft from the temporary shaft to the guide rail when assembling the linear guide device shown in Figures 6 and 7. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the temporary shaft attachment 40 is arranged coaxially and linearly between the temporary shaft 30 and the guide rail 101, and the slider 102 on the temporary shaft 30 is moved axially toward the guide rail 101 via the temporary shaft attachment 40 to transfer onto the guide rail 101. Note that the configuration of the linear guide device is denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the linear guide device 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the description will be omitted or simplified. Here, the description will be centered on the temporary shaft to which the slider is attached and the temporary shaft attachment.

[0019] 2, the temporary shaft 30 has a cross-sectional shape that is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 101. On the other hand, since the temporary shaft 30 is used to temporarily assemble the slider 102, it is sufficient that the axial length of the temporary shaft 30 is slightly longer than the axial length of the slider 102. In this embodiment, two rolling element raceway surfaces 31, 31 extending in the axial direction are also formed on both side surfaces of the temporary shaft 30, corresponding to the rolling element raceway surfaces 110, 110 of the guide rail 101.

[0020] 3 and 4, the temporary shaft attachment 40 is also made of resin or metal and has, along the longitudinal direction, substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the cross-sectional shapes of the guide rail 101 and the temporary shaft 30. Furthermore, on both side surfaces of the temporary shaft attachment 40, two rolling element raceway surfaces 41, 41 extending in the axial direction are formed, corresponding to the rolling element raceway surfaces 31, 31, 110, 110 of the temporary shaft 30 and the guide rail 101, respectively.

[0021] Furthermore, when the axial end of the temporary shaft attachment 40, which is closer to the temporary shaft 30, is designated as the temporary shaft side end 42 and the axial end of the temporary shaft attachment 40 which is closer to the guide rail 101, is designated as the rail side end 43, a pair of engaging protrusions 44, 44 that can engage with a pair of engaging recesses 32, 32 formed on the axial end surface of the temporary shaft 30 are formed on the left and right lower parts of the temporary shaft side end 42.

[0022] In the temporary shaft attachment 40, the cross-sectional size perpendicular to the axial direction at the rail-side end 43 has a shape that smoothly increases from the temporary shaft-side end 42 to the rail-side end 43, i.e., toward the end face of the rail-side end 43. The cross-sectional size of the temporary shaft-side end 42 is approximately equal to the cross-sectional size of the axial end of the temporary shaft 30 to be attached. On the other hand, the cross-sectional size of the rail-side end 43 is larger than the cross-sectional size of the temporary shaft-side end 42.

[0023] Furthermore, the temporary shaft attachment 40 is provided with thin plate-like protrusions 47 that form the outer surface and protrude in the axial direction on the upper and left and right sides of the rail-side end 43. The protrusions 47 are formed so that the outer surface gradually widens outward from the base end to the tip end of the rail-side end 43.

[0024] The protruding portion 47 is formed with a plurality of slits 49 extending in the axial direction from the tip of the rail-side end portion 43. As a result, the protruding portion 47 is divided by the plurality of slits 49 and is formed with a plurality of elastic deformation portions 50 that are each elastically deformable in the thickness direction.

[0025] Furthermore, the elastic deformation portion 50 at the position where the rolling elements 103 pass over the outer surface of the temporary shaft attachment 40 is formed to be wider than the rolling surface of the rolling elements 103. That is, the slits 49 are formed on both sides in the width direction away from the position on the outer surface of the protrusion 47 where the rolling elements 103 pass. The elastic deformation portion 50 at the position where the rolling element 103 passes over the outer surface of the temporary shaft attachment 40 is formed so that its widthwise middle position CL1 coincides with the middle position CL2 of the rolling surface of the rolling element 103.

[0026] Therefore, the engaging recesses 32, 32 formed on the axial end of the temporary shaft 30 engage with the engaging protrusions 44, 44 formed on the temporary shaft side end 42 of the temporary shaft attachment 40, thereby connecting the temporary shaft 30 to which the slider 102 is assembled and the temporary shaft attachment 40. Furthermore, the rail side end 43 of the temporary shaft attachment 40 is butted against the axial end of the guide rail 101, and the temporary shaft attachment 40 is thereby attached coaxially and in a straight line between the axial end of the temporary shaft 30 and the axial end of the guide rail 101.

[0027] 1, when the slider 102 is moved from the temporary shaft 30 onto the guide rail 101, when the slider 102 reaches the temporary shaft attachment 40, the side seals and inner seals are gradually spread outward without any strain along the outer surface of the temporary shaft attachment 40. When the slider 102 reaches the thin plate-shaped protruding portion 47, the side seals 105 and inner seal 109 are further pushed outward along the protruding portion 47.

[0028] Therefore, when the slider 102 moves from the temporary shaft attachment 40 to the guide rail 101, the side seal 105 and the inner seal 109 are prevented from coming into contact with the axial end face of the guide rail 101 or the end face of the rail cover 108, thereby suppressing damage to the side seal 105 and the inner seal 109. This allows the slider 102 to be smoothly moved from the temporary shaft 30 to the guide rail 101 and assembled.

[0029] Furthermore, the rolling elements 103 of the linear guide device 100 pass from the rolling element raceway surfaces 31, 31 of the temporary shaft 30 through the rolling element raceway surfaces 41, 41 of the temporary shaft attachment 40, and roll on the rolling element raceway surfaces 110, 110 of the guide rail 101. The rolling elements 103 then pass through the rolling element raceway surfaces 41, 41 of the temporary shaft attachment 40 while elastically deforming the elastic deformation portions 50 inward. At this time, the elastic deformation portions 50 at the positions where the rolling elements 103 pass through the outer surfaces are wider than the rolling surfaces of the rolling elements 103, so there is no risk of contact between the rolling elements 103 and the edges of the elastic deformation portions 50, and damage to the rolling elements 103 by the edges can be reliably prevented.

[0030] Furthermore, the elastically deforming portion 50 at the position where the rolling element 103 passes over the outer surface is formed so that its widthwise middle position CL1 coincides with the middle position CL2 of the rolling surface of the rolling element 103, so that when the rolling element 103 moves over the protruding portion 47, stress acts evenly on each portion of the protruding portion 47, causing it to deform parallel to its state before elastic deformation. This prevents the protruding portion 47 from deforming in an unintended direction, and the elastic force of the protruding portion 47 acts evenly, preventing damage to the side seal 105 and inner seal 109, and stabilizing the behavior of the rolling element 103.

[0031] (Variation) Next, a modified temporary shaft attachment will be described with reference to FIG. In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 5, the modified temporary shaft attachment 40A is used to move the slider 102 from the temporary shaft 30 in correspondence with a linear guide device having a guide rail (not shown) with one rolling element track surface on each side surface and two rolling element track surfaces on the top surface. For this reason, the temporary shaft (not shown) and the temporary shaft attachment 40A are also provided with one rolling element raceway surface 41 on each of both side surfaces and two on the top surface.

[0032] Also in this temporary shaft attachment 40A, a thin plate-like protruding portion 47 that protrudes in the axial direction is provided on the rail-side end portion 43. A plurality of slits 49 that extend in the axial direction from the tip of the rail-side end portion 43 are formed in the protruding portion 47. As a result, the protruding portion 47 is partitioned by the plurality of slits 49 and is formed with a plurality of elastic deformation portions 50 that are each elastically deformable in the thickness direction. Furthermore, the elastic deformation portions 50 at positions where the rolling elements 103 pass over the outer surface of the temporary shaft attachment 40 are formed to be wider than the rolling surfaces of the rolling elements 103. As a result, even with linear guide devices of different specifications, the same effects as those of the temporary shaft attachment 40 of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and the present invention also contemplates the mutual combination of the various components of the embodiments, and 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.

[0034] For example, in the above explanation, an attachment for a temporary shaft of a linear guide device having rolling elements formed as rollers was described, but this is not limited to this, and the rolling elements may be balls, which can be applied in the same way and achieve the same effects.

[0035] As described above, the present specification discloses the following: (1) A linear guide device includes a guide rail and a slider that can move relative to the guide rail in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail via rolling elements. When the slider is moved from the temporary shaft to the guide rail using the temporary shaft to which the slider is attached, the attachment for the temporary shaft of the linear guide device is used by being attached coaxially and linearly between the axial end of the temporary shaft and the axial end of the guide rail, When the axial end portion of the rail-side end is opposite to the axial end portion of the guide rail, the axial end portion of the rail-side end is defined as a temporary shaft-side end portion, and the axial end portion of the rail-side end is defined as a rail-side end portion. The size of a cross section of the rail-side end portion cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the rail-side end portion is gradually increased from the temporary shaft-side end portion toward the rail-side end portion. The cross-sectional size of the temporary shaft side end is equal to the cross-sectional size of the axial end of the temporary shaft to be attached, and the cross-sectional size of the rail side end is larger than the cross-sectional size of the temporary shaft side end, the rail-side end portion includes a plate-like protruding portion that forms an outer surface of the rail-side end portion and protrudes in the axial direction, The protruding portion is partitioned by a plurality of slits extending in the axial direction, and a plurality of elastic deformation portions are formed, each of which is elastically deformable in the thickness direction; The attachment for a temporary shaft of a linear guide device, wherein the elastically deforming portion at a position where the rolling element passes over the outer surface is wider than the rolling surface of the rolling element. With this configuration, when the slider is moved from the temporary shaft to the guide rail, the rolling surface of the rolling body is prevented from passing through the edge portion of the elastic portion, preventing damage to the seal or the rolling body and allowing it to move smoothly to the guide rail.

[0036] (2) The attachment for a temporary shaft of a linear guide device according to (1), wherein the elastic deformation portion in front of the position where the rolling element passes through the outer surface is formed so that its widthwise intermediate position coincides with the intermediate position of the rolling surface of the rolling element. With this configuration, when the rolling body passes through the elastic deformation section, the elastic deformation section is prevented from deforming in an unintended direction due to the force it receives from the rolling body, thereby preventing damage to the seal and stabilizing the behavior of the rolling body.

[0037] (3) The attachment for a temporary shaft of a linear guide device according to (1) or (2), wherein the rolling elements are rollers or balls. According to this configuration, the same effect can be obtained regardless of the shape of the rolling elements.

[0038] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2021-055679) filed on March 29, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 30 Temporary axis 40,40A Temporary shaft attachment 42 Temporary shaft end 43 Rail side end 47 Protrusion 49 Slit 50 Elastic deformation part 100 Linear guide device 101 Guide Rail 102 Slider 103 Rolling elements CL1: Center position of elastic deformation part in width direction CL2 Middle position of rolling element

Claims

1. A linear guide device includes a guide rail and a slider that can move relatively to the guide rail in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail via rolling elements. When the slider is transferred from the temporary shaft to the guide rail using a temporary shaft to which the slider is assembled, the temporary shaft attachment is used by being attached coaxially and linearly between the axial end of the temporary shaft and the axial end of the guide rail, When the axial end portion of the rail-side end is opposite to the axial end portion of the guide rail, the axial end portion of the rail-side end is defined as a temporary shaft-side end portion, and the axial end portion of the rail-side end is defined as a rail-side end portion. The size of a cross section of the rail-side end portion cut by a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the rail-side end portion is gradually increased from the temporary shaft-side end portion toward the rail-side end portion. The cross-sectional size of the temporary shaft side end is equal to the cross-sectional size of the axial end of the temporary shaft to be attached, and the cross-sectional size of the rail side end is larger than the cross-sectional size of the temporary shaft side end, the rail-side end portion includes a plate-like protruding portion that forms an outer surface of the rail-side end portion and protrudes in the axial direction, The protruding portion is partitioned by a plurality of slits extending in the axial direction, and a plurality of elastic deformation portions are formed, each of which is elastically deformable in the thickness direction; the elastically deformable portion at a position where the rolling element passes over the outer surface is wider than the rolling surface of the rolling element; The elastic deformation portion at the position where the rolling element passes over the outer surface is formed so that its widthwise intermediate position coincides with the intermediate position of the rolling surface of the rolling element.

2. 2. The attachment for a temporary shaft of a linear guide device according to claim 1, wherein the rolling elements are rollers or balls.

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