Linear motion device
First Claim
1. A linear motion device in which:
- a linearly moving element that moves linearly relative to a rail element is provided;
load paths through which rolling elements move are provided between the rail element and the linearly moving element;
the load paths are made to communicate via return paths with no-load paths provided to the linearly moving element; and
endless rolling element circulation paths configured from the load paths, the return paths, and the no-load paths are formed in at least a left-and-right pair;
said linear motion device characterized in that the rolling elements are cylinders of which the length is at least three times the diameter, the rolling elements are configured so as to circulate through the endless rolling element circulation paths while being rotatably held by rolling element holders configured by spacers provided between adjacent rolling elements and belt-shaped linking elements that link the spacers together at both ends, the no-load paths are formed by placing no-load path-constituting members in linear holes formed in the linearly moving element, the no-load path-constituting members are opened at the sides and set into gaps having a prescribed length in which the linking elements of the rolling element holders are placed, the linking elements of the rolling element holders are exposed from these gaps, and with the no-load path-constituting members having been placed in the linear holes, the linking elements are provided so as to face and to be in proximity to the wall surfaces of the linear holes.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Provided is a linear motion device having higher rigidity, higher load resistance, and superior guiding precision. In this linear motion device, a linearly moving element 2 that moves linearly relative to a rail element 1 is provided, load paths 4 through which rolling elements 3 move are provided between the rail element 1 and the linearly moving element 2, and endless rolling element circulation paths are formed in which the load paths 4 are made to communicate via return paths 5 with no-load paths 6, wherein the rolling elements 3 are cylinders of which the length is at least three times the diameter, the rolling elements 3 are configured so as to circulate through the endless rolling element circulation paths while being rotatably held by rolling element holders 10 configured by spacers 8 provided between adjacent rolling elements 3 and belt-shaped linking elements 9 that link spacers 8 together at both ends, the no-load paths 6 are formed by placing no-load path-constituting members 12 in linear holes 11 formed in the linearly moving element 2, and the no-load path-constituting members 12 are configured such that the end surfaces of the rolling elements 3 are opened on the outward sides and the linking elements 9 of the rolling element holders 10 are exposed.
6 Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A linear motion device in which:
- a linearly moving element that moves linearly relative to a rail element is provided;
load paths through which rolling elements move are provided between the rail element and the linearly moving element;
the load paths are made to communicate via return paths with no-load paths provided to the linearly moving element; and
endless rolling element circulation paths configured from the load paths, the return paths, and the no-load paths are formed in at least a left-and-right pair;
said linear motion device characterized in that the rolling elements are cylinders of which the length is at least three times the diameter, the rolling elements are configured so as to circulate through the endless rolling element circulation paths while being rotatably held by rolling element holders configured by spacers provided between adjacent rolling elements and belt-shaped linking elements that link the spacers together at both ends, the no-load paths are formed by placing no-load path-constituting members in linear holes formed in the linearly moving element, the no-load path-constituting members are opened at the sides and set into gaps having a prescribed length in which the linking elements of the rolling element holders are placed, the linking elements of the rolling element holders are exposed from these gaps, and with the no-load path-constituting members having been placed in the linear holes, the linking elements are provided so as to face and to be in proximity to the wall surfaces of the linear holes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- a linearly moving element that moves linearly relative to a rail element is provided;
Specification