Slide device

Abstract

Provided is a slide device that maintains durability while making it possible to quietly move an object to be moved by suppressing the occurrence of metal-on-metal scraping noises. The slide device comprises: a guide rail 10 that is made of metal and extends linearly; a traveling body 20 capable of traveling along the guide rail 10; and rollers 25, 26 (rolling elements) that are made of metal, are rotatably supported by the traveling body 20, and are interposed between the guide rail 10 and the traveling body 20. Cushioning sections 15a, 16a that are made from a resin and extend continuously along the guide rail 10 are fixed in close contact with receiving surfaces 12a, 12b for receiving the rollers 25, 26 in the guide rail 10. The rollers 25, 26 roll along the receiving surfaces 12a, 12b while in contact with the cushioning sections 15a, 16a.

Description

Slide device

[0001] The present invention relates to a sliding device for guiding a moving object.

[0002] As exemplified in Patent Document 1 (WO2023 / 157551), a linear guide device (slide device) comprises a guide rail that extends linearly and a running body that moves along the guide rail, with multiple rollers (rolling bodies) rotatably supported on the running body, and these rollers roll along the receiving surface of the guide rail.

[0003] Another form of linear guide device (slide device), as exemplified in Patent Document 2 (U.S. Patent No. 4,752,143), comprises a first guide rail that extends linearly, a second guide rail that can run along the first guide rail, a retainer that is arranged between the first and second guide rails, and rollers (rolling elements) that are rotatably supported by the retainer, and the rollers roll along the receiving surfaces of the first and second guide rails.

[0004] In the above-described sliding device, when the metal rollers (rolling elements) roll on the metal guide rails, noise is generated due to the metal elements rubbing against each other.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a slide device comprising a metal guide rail having a receiving surface, a running body capable of running along the guide rail, and a metal rolling body interposed between the guide rail and the running body and rolling along the receiving surface when the running body runs, characterized in that a buffer section extending continuously along the guide rail is fixed in close contact with the receiving surface of the guide rail, and the rolling body rolls along the receiving surface while in contact with the buffer section.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the rolling elements do not directly contact the receiving surface of the guide rail, but rather contact the receiving surface via the buffer portion, thereby suppressing the generation of friction noise when the rolling elements roll as the traveling body travels. While it is conceivable to cover the outer periphery of the rolling elements with a buffer portion to prevent the generation of this friction noise, the outer periphery of the rolling elements is constantly subjected to load as they roll, making them prone to deterioration and damage. In contrast, when a buffer portion is disposed on the receiving surface of the guide rail as in the present invention, the load is applied to the buffer portion only when the rolling elements pass over, reducing the burden on the buffer portion and resulting in excellent durability that is less prone to deterioration and damage over the long term.

[0007] Preferably, the cross-sectional profile of the outer periphery of the rolling element has a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the receiving surface, and the buffer portion has a cross-sectional shape that fits along the receiving surface. With this configuration, the rolling element can be stably received. In one embodiment, the rolling element is a roller having a cylindrical outer periphery, the receiving surface is flat, and the buffer portion is flat. In another embodiment, the guide rail is formed with a recessed groove extending along the guide rail, the recessed groove has the receiving surface, the cross-sectional shape of the receiving surface is semicircular, the cross-sectional profile of the outer periphery of the rolling element is semicircular, and the buffer portion has a semicircular cross-sectional shape that fits along the receiving surface.

[0008] Preferably, both widthwise sides of the guide rail are provided as a pair of guide parts, the receiving surfaces are formed on the inner or outer surfaces of the pair of guide parts, and the rolling elements that roll along the receiving surfaces of the pair of guide parts are supported on both sides of the running body. With this configuration, the running body can run stably.

[0009] Preferably, the device further comprises a buffer material fixed to the guide rail and extending along the guide rail, the guide rail having a guide rail-side engaging portion extending along the guide rail near the receiving surface, the buffer material integrally comprising the buffer portion and a buffer material-side engaging portion formed near the buffer portion and extending along the buffer material, the guide rail-side engaging portion and the buffer material-side engaging portion engaging with each other. With this configuration, the buffer material can maintain a tightly fixed state with the guide rail for an even longer period of time.

[0010] Preferably, the guide rail has a base portion and a pair of guide portions facing each other in a width direction of the base portion, each of the opposing surfaces of the pair of guide portions having a first receiving surface close to the base portion and a second receiving surface farther from the base portion as the receiving surface, the first receiving surfaces of the pair of guide portions inclined so that the distance between them increases with increasing distance from the base portion, and the second receiving surfaces of the pair of guide portions inclined so that the distance between them decreases with increasing distance from the base portion, the buffer portions are fixed to the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface, the rollers supported on both sides of the running body include a plurality of first rollers and a plurality of second rollers housed in the guide rail, the plurality of first rollers roll along the pair of first receiving surfaces while contacting the buffer portions, and the plurality of second rollers roll along the pair of second receiving surfaces while contacting the buffer portions. With this configuration, the generation of scraping noise can be suppressed even though the rollers are received by four receiving surfaces at different angles to enable smooth running of the running body.

[0011] In one embodiment, the device further includes cushioning materials fixed to the inner surfaces of the pair of guide portions and extending along the guide rails, and the cushioning materials integrally have a cushioning portion fixed to the first receiving surface and a cushioning portion fixed to the second receiving surface.

[0012] In another aspect, the guide rail is a first guide rail, the receiving surface is a first receiving surface, the buffer portion is a first buffer portion, and further includes a second metal guide rail extending parallel to the first guide rail and capable of running along the first guide rail, and a retainer disposed between the first guide rail and the second guide rail and movable along the first and second guide rails, wherein the second guide rail serves as the running body, the second guide rail has a second receiving surface, a second buffer portion extending continuously along the second guide rail is fixed in close contact with the second receiving surface, the rolling elements are rotatably supported by the retainer, and the rolling elements are disposed between the first and second receiving surfaces and roll along the first and second receiving surfaces while contacting the first and second buffer portions. With this configuration, the rolling elements do not directly hit the receiving surfaces of the first and second guide rails but hit the receiving surfaces via a buffer material, thereby suppressing the generation of scraping noise when the rolling elements roll as the running body runs.

[0013] According to the sliding device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the generation of fretting noise while maintaining durability.

[0014] 1A is a top view of a linear guide device as a slide device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with the length of the guide rails shown shorter than in actuality; FIG. 1B is a front view of the linear guide device as seen from the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1; FIG. 2A is an exploded front view of the linear guide device of FIG. 2A; FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows III-III in FIG. 1; FIG. 2C is an exploded perspective view of the linear guide device, with the length of the guide rails shown shorter than in actuality; FIG. 1C is a front view of a linear guide device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1D is a front view of a linear guide device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1E is a front view of a linear guide device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1F is a front view of a linear guide device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1G is a front view of a linear guide device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1H is a front view of a linear guide device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1H is a front view of a linear guide device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1I is a perspective view showing a linear guide device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, with a partial cross-section; FIG. 1J is a cross-sectional view of the linear guide device according to the ninth embodiment; FIG. 1K is a front view of a linear guide device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1L is a front view of a linear guide device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 15A is an exploded front view of the linear guide device of FIG. 15A; FIG. 15B is an exploded perspective view of the linear guide device according to the eleventh embodiment.

[0015] A linear guide device (slide device) according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The linear guide device includes a long, narrow metal (aluminum, copper, stainless steel, etc.) guide rail 10 that extends linearly, and a metal running body 20 (carriage) that can run along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 10. In this embodiment, the guide rail 10 is disposed horizontally on the lower side, and the running body 20 is disposed on the upper side. In the following description, the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 10 may also be referred to as the running direction.

[0016] <Configuration of the Guide Rail> The guide rail 10 is made of, for example, an extruded aluminum material and has a long, narrow, flat base portion 11 and a pair of guide portions 12 facing each other in the left-right direction (width direction) of the guide rail 10. Each guide portion 12 has a curved plate shape, and its inner surface (facing surface) has a flat first receiving surface 12a on the lower side close to the base portion 11 and a flat second receiving surface 12b on the upper side. The first receiving surfaces 12a of the pair of guide portions 12 form a pair and are inclined at an obtuse angle of 135° with respect to the base portion 11 so that the distance between them increases with increasing distance from the base portion 11. The second receiving portions 12b of the pair of guide portions 12 form a pair and are inclined at an acute angle of 45° with respect to the base portion 11 so that the distance between them decreases with increasing distance from the base portion 11.

[0017] Thin, uniformly thick, sheet-like buffer materials 15 extending continuously in the longitudinal direction are tightly secured to and attached to the pair of first receiving surfaces 12a and their vicinity. The buffer materials 15 include flat buffer portions 15a corresponding to the first receiving surfaces 12a. Similarly, sheet-like buffer materials 16 are tightly secured to and attached to the pair of second receiving surfaces 12b and their vicinity. The buffer materials 16 also include flat buffer portions 16a corresponding to the second receiving surfaces 12b. The buffer materials 15, 16 are made of resin, such as POM (polyacetal), and have approximately the same length as the guide rail 10. A preferred method for securing the buffer materials 15, 16 involves supplying an adhesive resin into a molding space formed between a mold and the receiving surfaces 12a, 12b of the guide rail 10, and then filling the space with molten resin to mold the buffer materials 15, 16 and secure them tightly to the receiving surfaces 12a, 12b. The cushioning materials 15, 16 have a substantially uniform thickness, and it is preferable that the thickness, including the adhesive, be 1 mm or less. In this embodiment, the adhesive is 0.2 mm, and the cushioning materials 15, 16 are 0.5 mm. Note that the means for fastening the cushioning materials 15, 16 is not limited to the above, and for example, a thin resin sheet may simply be adhered to the receiving surfaces 12a, 12b.

[0018] <General Configuration of the Running Body> The running body 20 is configured by stacking a main holder 21 and an auxiliary holder 22 and connecting them with a connecting shaft member 23. The main holder 21 has a flat plate shape, and an object to be moved is placed on this main holder 21. A pair of first rollers 25 (rolling elements) is rotatably supported on each of the bent mounting portions at both ends of the main holder 21 in the running direction. The auxiliary holder 22 is shorter in the running direction than the main holder 21, and a pair of second rollers 26 (rolling elements) is rotatably supported on each of both ends in the running direction. The rotation axis of the first roller 25 is parallel to the first receiving surface 12a and perpendicular to the second receiving surface 12b, and the rotation axis of the second roller 26 is parallel to the second receiving surface 12b and perpendicular to the first receiving surface 12a. These rollers 25, 26 are made of metal such as aluminum, copper, or stainless steel, and have cylindrical outer peripheries.

[0019] <Assembly of the Linear Guide Device> The linear guide device is assembled by bringing the running body 20 close to the guide rail 10 in the longitudinal direction and accommodating the rollers 25, 26 in the internal space of the guide rail 10. In this assembled state, a total of four first rollers 25 of the running body 20 contact the flat buffer portions 15a of the buffer material 15 fixed to the paired first receiving surfaces 12a of the guide rail 10, and a total of four second rollers 26 contact the flat buffer portions 16a of the buffer material 16 fixed to the paired second receiving surfaces 12b.

[0020] <Operation of Linear Guide Device> When the running body 20 runs along the guide rail 10, the first roller 25 rolls along the first receiving surface 12a while contacting the buffer portion 15a fixed to the first receiving surface 12a of the guide rail 10, and the second roller 26 rolls along the second receiving surface 12b while contacting the buffer portion 16a fixed to the second receiving surface 12b. Because the rollers 25, 26 are received by the four receiving surfaces 12a, 12b at different angles in this manner, the running body 20 can run smoothly. Moreover, because the metal rollers 25, 26 do not directly contact the receiving surfaces 12a, 12b of the metal guide rail 10 but contact the buffer portions 15a, 16a, no metal-on-metal scraping noise is generated due to rolling, allowing the running body 20 to run quietly. Furthermore, the rollers 25, 26 having cylindrical outer peripheries contact the flat receiving surfaces 12a, 12b via the buffer portions 15a, 16a of uniform thickness, so that the rollers 25, 26 can roll stably.

[0021] Another possible means for achieving the above-mentioned quiet running is to cover the outer peripheries of the rollers 25, 26 with resin buffers, but these buffers are prone to deterioration and damage because they are constantly subjected to load when the running body 20 is running. In contrast, when buffers 15a, 16a are formed on the receiving surfaces 12a, 12b of the guide rails as in this embodiment, the buffers 15a, 16a are only subjected to load when the rollers 25, 26 pass by, so deterioration and damage to the buffers 15a, 16a can be suppressed.

[0022] Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. In these embodiments, components corresponding to those in the previously described embodiments are designated by the same or similar reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed descriptions of materials, forming methods, and functions will be omitted.

[0023] Second Embodiment The linear guide device according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has the same basic configuration as the linear guide device according to the first embodiment, but differs in the following respects. Each of the pair of guide portions 12A of the guide rail 10 has engagement recesses 12x and 12y (guide rail-side engagement portions). These engagement recesses 12x and 12y are respectively disposed near the first and second receiving surfaces 12a and 12b and extend the entire length of the guide rail 10. A thin resin buffer material 18 extending along the guide rail 10 is tightly and securely fixed to the entire inner surface of each guide portion 12A. Each buffer material 18 integrally includes flat, uniformly thick buffer portions 18a and 18b tightly and securely fixed to the receiving surfaces 12a and 12b, as well as an intermediate portion connecting the buffer portions 18a and 18b. Similar to the first embodiment, the buffer portions 18a and 18b serve to suppress friction noise. Furthermore, each buffer material 18 has integral engaging protrusions 18x, 18y (buffer-side engaging portions) formed near the buffer portions 18a, 18b. The engaging protrusions 18x, 18y extend over the entire length of the buffer material 18 and engage with the engaging recesses 12x, 12y of the guide portion 12A, respectively. Because the engaging recesses 12x, 12y and the engaging protrusions 18x, 18y are added as fixing means, the buffer material 18 can be maintained in close contact with the guide rail 10 for a longer period of time.

[0024] <Third Embodiment> A linear guide device according to a third embodiment shown in Fig. 6 includes a hollow, rectangular metal guide rail 110. This guide rail 110 has a flat, plate-shaped base portion 111 that serves as an upper wall, and guide portions 112 that are L-shaped in cross section and hang down from both side edges of this base portion 111. The upper surfaces of the horizontal bottom walls 113 of the pair of guide portions 112 serve as flat receiving surfaces 113a. A flat, sheet-like buffer portion 115 made of resin and having a uniform thickness that extends continuously in the longitudinal direction is tightly fixed to the receiving surface 113a.

[0025] The running body 120 is inserted between a pair of bottom walls 113 of the guide rail 110, with its lower portion protruding downward from the guide rail 110 and its upper portion disposed within the guide rail 110. On both sides of the upper portion of the running body 120, multiple pairs of metal rollers 125 (rolling elements) are rotatably supported at intervals in the running direction. The pairs of rollers 125 are disposed on the left and right sides of the running body 120, have rotation axes extending horizontally in the left-right direction, and rest on the receiving surfaces 113a of the guide rail 110 via buffer parts 115. A sliding door, for example, is attached to the lower portion of the running body 120 as an object to be moved.

[0026] <Fourth Embodiment> The linear guide device of the fourth embodiment shown in Figure 7 has the same basic configuration as the linear guide device of the third embodiment, but differs in the following respects. In this linear guide device, a buffer material 118 is tightly fixed to the entire inner surface of the guide rail 110. That is, the buffer material 118 has a buffer portion 118a tightly fixed to the receiving surface 113a of the bottom wall 113 of the guide portion 112, and auxiliary buffer portions 118b and 118c tightly fixed to the side wall 114 of the guide portion 112 and the underside of the base portion 111. With this configuration, the roller 125 moves along the receiving surface 113a while contacting the buffer portion 118a, as in the third embodiment. When the sliding door, which is the object of movement, is forcefully closed and the traveling body 120 moves irregularly up and down and left and right and hits the side wall 114 or the base portion 111 of the guide rail 110, the buffering function of the auxiliary buffer portions 118b and 118c can suppress impact noise.

[0027] Fifth Embodiment In the linear guide device of the fifth embodiment shown in Figure 8, a guide rail 110A has a flat base portion 111A that serves as a horizontal bottom wall, and a pair of guide portions 112A that are L-shaped in cross section and stand upright from both side edges of the base portion 111A. The pair of guide portions 112A have horizontal upper walls 113A. The left and right portions of the upper surface of the base portion 111A are provided as flat receiving surfaces 111a. A resin sheet-like cushioning material 119 is tightly fixed to the entire upper surface of the base portion 111A. The cushioning material 119 has flat cushioning portions 119a of uniform thickness that correspond to the left and right receiving surfaces 111a.

[0028] The running body 120 is inserted between a pair of upper walls 113A of the guide rail 110A, with its upper portion protruding upward from the guide rail 110A and its lower portion disposed within the guide rail 110A. On both sides of the lower portion of the running body 120, multiple pairs of metal rollers 125 (rolling elements) are rotatably supported at intervals in the running direction. The pairs of rollers 125 rest on the receiving surfaces 111a of the guide rail 110A via left and right buffer portions 119a. An object to be moved is attached to the upper portion of the running body 120.

[0029] Sixth Embodiment In a linear guide device according to a sixth embodiment shown in Fig. 9, both left and right side portions of a metal guide rail 210 are provided as a pair of guide portions. A recessed groove 211 having a semicircular cross section and extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on both side surfaces of the guide rail 210. The recessed groove 211 has a receiving surface 211a having a semicircular cross section. A thin, uniformly thick buffer portion 215 made of resin and having a semicircular cross section that extends continuously in the longitudinal direction is fixed in close contact with the receiving surface 211a.

[0030] Pairs of metal rollers 225 are rotatably supported at intervals in the running direction on both left and right sides of the running body 220. The pairs of rollers 225 are arranged on the left and right sides of the running body 220, and are flat with rotation axes that extend vertically. The outer peripheries of the rollers 225 have convex curved surfaces whose cross-sectional contours form semicircular arcs. The rollers 225 fit into the recessed grooves 211 of the guide rail 210 and roll along the receiving surfaces 211a while contacting the buffer portions 215.

[0031] 10 , a metal guide rail 310 has a horizontal base portion 311 and a pair of left and right upright guide portions 312. A longitudinally extending semicircular cross-sectional groove 313 is formed on the inner surface (opposing surface) of the guide portion 312. The groove 313 has a receiving surface 313a whose transverse cross section is a semicircular arc. A thin resin buffer portion 315, which has a semicircular cross section and extends continuously in the longitudinal direction, is tightly fixed to the receiving surface 313a.

[0032] Pairs of metal rollers 325 are rotatably supported on both the left and right sides of the running body 320 at intervals in the running direction. The pairs of rollers 325 are arranged on the left and right sides of the running body 320, and are flat with rotation axes extending vertically. The outer periphery of the rollers 325 has a convex curved surface whose cross section outlines a semicircular arc. The rollers 325 fit into the recessed grooves 313 of the guide rail 310 and roll along the receiving surfaces 313a while contacting the buffer portions 15.

[0033] Eighth Embodiment In the eighth embodiment shown in Fig. 11, a metal guide rail 410 has a base portion 411 and a pair of guide portions 412, similar to the seventh embodiment. A recessed groove 413 having a semicircular cross section and extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the inner surface (opposing surface) of each of the guide portions 412. The recessed groove 413 has a receiving surface 413a. The receiving surface 413a has a semicircular arc cross section. Half of a resin buffer portion 415 having a circular cross section and extending continuously in the longitudinal direction is fitted into the recessed groove 413 and is tightly fixed to the receiving surface 413a.

[0034] Pairs of metal rollers 425 are rotatably supported at intervals in the running direction on both the left and right sides of the running body 420. The pairs of rollers 425 are arranged on the left and right sides of the running body 420 and have rotation axes that extend vertically. The outer periphery of the rollers 425 has a concave curved surface whose cross section outlines a semicircular arc. The concave curved surface of the outer periphery of the roller 425 rolls along the receiving surface 413a while contacting the buffer portion 415.

[0035] 12 and 13, similar to the sixth embodiment shown in Fig. 9, the left and right sides of a metal guide rail 510 are provided as a pair of guide portions. The guide rail 510 has grooves 511 with semicircular cross sections extending in the longitudinal direction on the left and right sides. The grooves 511 have receiving surfaces 511a with a semicircular cross section. A thin, uniformly thick resin buffer portion 515 having a semicircular cross section extending continuously in the longitudinal direction is tightly fixed to the receiving surfaces 511a.

[0036] The running body 520 has a circulation path for circulating a large number of metal balls 525 (rolling elements). The outer path portion of this circulation path is a recessed groove with a semicircular cross section, and the inner path portion is circular in cross section. When the running body 520 runs, these balls 525 roll along the receiving surface 511a while contacting the buffer portion 515, and circulate along the circulation path. In this embodiment, the circulation path may also be lined with a buffer portion 529 as shown in the figure.

[0037] <Tenth embodiment> The linear guide device of the tenth embodiment shown in Figure 14 includes a first guide rail 610 (guide rail) made of metal, a second guide rail 620 (running body), a resin retainer 630, and a plurality of metal balls 640 (rolling bodies) rotatably supported by the retainer 630.

[0038] Similar to the seventh embodiment shown in Fig. 11 , the first guide rail 610 has a horizontal base portion 611 and a pair of left and right upright guide portions 612. A recessed groove 613 having a semicircular cross section and extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the inner surface (opposing surface) of this guide portion 612. This recessed groove 613 has a first receiving surface 613a (receiving surface) having a semicircular arc cross section. A thin, uniformly thick first buffer portion 615 (buffer portion) made of resin, having a semicircular arc cross section and extending continuously in the longitudinal direction, is tightly fixed to the first receiving surface 613a.

[0039] The second guide rail 620 is provided as a running body, extends in the longitudinal direction of the first guide rail 610, and is movable along the first guide rail 610. A recessed groove 621 with a semicircular cross section is formed on both the left and right surfaces of the second guide rail 620 and extends in the longitudinal direction, and this recessed groove 621 has a second receiving surface 621a with a semicircular arc cross section. A thin-walled second buffer part 625 made of resin, which also has a semicircular arc cross section and extends continuously in the longitudinal direction, is fixed in close contact with this second receiving surface 621a.

[0040] Ball 640 is disposed between first receiving surface 613a of first guide rail 610 and second receiving surface 621a of second guide rail 620, and rolls along first receiving surface 613a and second receiving surface 621a while contacting first buffer portion 615 and second buffer portion 625 as second guide rail 620 moves relative to first guide rail 610. Retainer 630 moves relative to first guide rail 610 by half the amount of movement of second guide rail 620. Ball 640 does not directly hit first receiving surface 613a of first guide rail 610 or first receiving surface 621a of second guide rail 620, but hits them via first buffer portion 615 and second buffer portion 625 made of resin, respectively, thereby preventing the generation of metal-on-metal scraping noise.

[0041] 15A, 15B, and 16, like the seventh embodiment, includes a first guide rail 710 (guide rail) and a second guide rail 720 (traveling body) made of metal, as well as a resin retainer 730 and three rows of metal rollers 741 to 743 (rolling elements) rotatably supported by the retainer 730 and having cylindrical outer peripheries.

[0042] The first guide rail 710 has two vertical walls 711, 712 of different heights facing each other on the left and right, and two horizontal walls 713, 714 of different widths facing each other on the top and bottom. The second guide rail 720 has two vertical walls 721, 722 facing each other on the left and right, and two horizontal walls 723, 724 facing each other on the top and bottom. In the assembled state, the narrow upper horizontal wall 713 of the first guide rail 710 is disposed between the horizontal walls 723, 734 of the second guide rail 720, and the lower vertical wall 712 of the first guide rail 710 is disposed inside the vertical wall 722 of the second guide rail 720.

[0043] A portion of the outer surface of the vertical wall 712 of the first guide rail 710 serves as a flat first receiving surface 712a (receiving surface), and the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal wall 713 serve as flat first receiving surfaces 713a and 713b (receiving surfaces). A portion of the inner surface of the vertical wall 722 of the second guide rail 720 serves as a flat second receiving surface 722a, and a portion of the lower surface of the horizontal wall 723 and the upper surface of the horizontal wall 724 serve as flat second receiving surfaces 723a and 724a, respectively. A flat, resin-made first buffer portion 750 (buffer portion) of uniform thickness that extends continuously in the longitudinal direction is tightly fixed to each of the first receiving surfaces 712a, 713a, and 713b, and a similarly flat second buffer portion 760 is tightly fixed to each of the second receiving surfaces 722a, 723a, and 724a.

[0044] The vertical roller 741 is disposed between the opposing first and second receiving surfaces 712a and 722a, and rolls along the first and second receiving surfaces 712a and 722a while contacting the first and second buffer sections 750 and 760. The upper horizontal roller 742 is disposed between the opposing first and second receiving surfaces 713a and 723a, and rolls along the first and second receiving surfaces 713a and 723a while contacting the first and second buffer sections 750 and 760. The lower horizontal roller 743 is disposed between the opposing first and second receiving surfaces 713b and 724a, and rolls along the first and second receiving surfaces 713b and 724a while contacting the first and second buffer sections 750 and 760. In the eleventh embodiment, roller 741 does not come into direct contact with receiving surfaces 712a and 722a, roller 742 does not come into direct contact with receiving surfaces 713a and 723a, and roller 743 does not come into direct contact with receiving surfaces 713b and 724a, so the generation of metal-on-metal rubbing noise can be avoided.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, if there are multiple receiving surfaces, the buffer portion may be omitted for the receiving surface with a lighter load. Taking the first embodiment as an example, a buffer portion may be provided only on the first receiving surface, and not on the second receiving surface. The slide device of the present invention includes a slide device with curved rails in addition to the linear guide device in the above-described embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the buffer portion is made of resin, but it may also be made of elastomer or rubber.

[0046] The present invention can be applied to a sliding device.

[0047] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 110, 110A, 210, 310, 410, 510... Guide rail 11, 111, 111A, 311... Base portion 12, 12A, 112, 112A, 312... Guide portion 12a... First receiving surface (receiving surface) 12b... Second receiving surface (receiving surface) 12x, 12y... Engagement recess (guide rail side engagement portion) 15a, 16a, 18a, 18b, 115, 118a, 119a, 215, 315, 415, 515... Buffer portion 18... Buffer material 18x, 18y... Engagement protrusion (buffer material side engagement portion) 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520... Traveling body 25... First roller (roller; rolling element) 26... Second roller (roller; rolling element) 111a, 113a, 211a, 313a, 413a, 511a...receiving surface 125, 225, 325, 425...roller (rolling element) 211, 313, 511...groove 525...ball (rolling element) 610, 710...first guide rail (guide rail) 613a, 712a, 713a, 713b...first receiving surface (receiving surface) 615, 750...first buffer section (buffer section) 620, 720...second guide rail (traveling body) 621a, 722a, 723a, 724a...second receiving surface 625, 760...second buffer section 630, 730...retainer 640...ball (rolling element) 741 to 743...roller (rolling element)

Claims

1. A slide device comprising a metal guide rail having a receiving surface, a running body capable of running along said guide rail, and a metal rolling body interposed between said guide rail and said running body and rolling along said receiving surface when said running body runs, wherein a buffer section extending continuously along said guide rail is fixed in intimate contact with said receiving surface of said guide rail, and said rolling body rolls along said receiving surface while in contact with said buffer section.

2. A sliding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional contour of the outer periphery of said rolling element has a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of said receiving surface, and said buffer portion has a cross-sectional shape that fits along said receiving surface.

3. The slide device according to claim 2, wherein said rolling elements are rollers having cylindrical outer peripheries, said receiving surfaces are flat, and said buffer portions are flat.

4. A slide device as described in claim 2, characterized in that a groove extending along said guide rail is formed in said guide rail, said groove has said receiving surface, the cross-sectional shape of said receiving surface forms a semicircular arc, the cross-sectional contour of the outer periphery of said rolling element forms a semicircular arc, and said buffer portion has a semicircular cross-sectional shape that fits along said receiving surface.

5. A slide device as described in claim 1, characterized in that both widthwise sides of the guide rail are provided as a pair of guide sections, the receiving surfaces are formed on the inner or outer surfaces of the pair of guide sections, and the rolling elements that roll along the receiving surfaces of the pair of guide sections are supported on both sides of the running body.

6. The slide device according to claim 1, further comprising a cushioning material fixed to said guide rail and extending along said guide rail, said guide rail having a guide rail side engaging portion extending along said guide rail in the vicinity of said receiving surface, said cushioning material integrally having said cushioning portion and a cushioning material side engaging portion formed in the vicinity of said cushioning portion and extending along said cushioning material, and said guide rail side engaging portion and said cushioning material side engaging portion are engaged with each other.

7. The slide device according to claim 3, characterized in that the guide rail has a base portion and a pair of guide portions facing each other in the width direction of the base portion, each of the opposing surfaces of the pair of guide portions is formed with a first receiving surface close to the base portion and a second receiving surface distant from the base portion as the receiving surfaces, the first receiving surfaces of the pair of guide portions are inclined so that the distance between them increases as they move away from the base portion, and the second receiving surfaces of the pair of guide portions are inclined so that the distance between them decreases as they move away from the base portion, the buffer portion is fixed to the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface, the rollers supported on both sides of the running body include a plurality of first rollers and a plurality of second rollers housed within the guide rail, the plurality of first rollers roll along the pair of first receiving surfaces while in contact with the buffer portion, and the plurality of second rollers roll along the pair of second receiving surfaces while in contact with the buffer portion.

8. A slide device as described in claim 7, further comprising cushioning material fixed to the inner surfaces of the pair of guide sections and extending along the guide rails, the cushioning material integrally having a cushioning portion fixed to the first receiving surface and a cushioning portion fixed to the second receiving surface.

9. The slide device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second guide rail made of metal extending parallel to the first guide rail and capable of running along the first guide rail; and a retainer disposed between the first guide rail and the second guide rail and capable of moving along the first and second guide rails, wherein the second guide rail is provided as the running body, the second guide rail has a second receiving surface, and a second buffer portion extending continuously along the second guide rail is fixed in close contact with the second receiving surface, and the rolling body is rotatably supported by the retainer, and the rolling body is disposed between the first and second receiving surfaces and rolls along the first and second receiving surfaces while contacting the first and second buffer portions.

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