JP5377847B2 - Exercise equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a smaller and maintenance-free motion device to which lubricant is appropriately supplied. <P>SOLUTION: A ball spline device S comprises a spline shaft 1 having a ball rolling face 10, and an outer cylinder 2 having a load ball rolling face forming a load rolling passage 31a where a ball 3 rolls in a loaded condition, together with the ball rolling face 10, and a non-load rolling passage 32 forming an endless circuit 30 where the ball 3 rolls in a non-loaded condition, together with the load rolling passage 31a, the spline shaft 1 and the outer cylinder 2 being relatively moved via the ball 3. The spline shaft 1 has a storage body 20 containing lubricant at a site opposite to the non-load rolling passage 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an exercise device in which a track and a moving body are engaged via rolling elements such as balls and rollers, such as a ball spline, a ball screw, and a linear motion guide device.

  For example, in a linear motion guide device, a rolling surface of a ball (rolling member) is formed along the longitudinal direction as a motion device in which a track and a moving member are engaged via rolling members such as balls and rollers. The track rail (track body) and a moving block (moving body) assembled with the track rail through the balls are provided.

  Such a linear motion guiding device suppresses the friction of the ball itself, wear of a portion that receives a load due to the movement of the ball rolling surface or the moving block, etc., and makes the linear motion guiding device accurate and long-term. Therefore, it is necessary to properly lubricate the balls and rolling surfaces by applying a lubricant.

  Conventionally, as a method of applying a lubricant to a ball, a rolling surface, etc., the linear motion guide device described in Patent Document 1 is a lubricating oil supply device that stores lubricating oil. Connected to the moving block so as to abut the surface, the lubricating oil supply device moves with the movement of the moving block to supply lubricating oil to the rolling surface and roll the rolling surface and rolling surface The method of the structure which lubricates the ball etc. to perform is employ | adopted.

Similarly, the rolling element screw device described in Patent Document 2 is configured to lubricate the rolling surface and the ball rolling on the rolling surface by connecting the lubricating oil supply device to the nut member (moving body). The method is adopted.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-184683 JP 2000-249209 A

However, when the lubricating oil supply device is provided in response to the recent demand for downsizing of motion devices such as linear motion guide devices and rolling element screw devices, the total length of the mobile body (moving block and nut member) becomes long. There has been a problem that it is difficult to meet the demands for making it difficult, and it is difficult to provide a space for installing the lubricating oil supply device in a small movable body.
However, if a lubricating oil supply device is not installed, the lubricant must be directly applied to the exercise device, which requires the trouble of supplying the lubricant after the exercise device is stopped, resulting in a problem that work efficiency is reduced. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has an object to provide a maintenance-free exercise device by appropriately reducing the size and supplying a lubricant.

In order to solve the above problems, the following means were adopted.
The present invention provides a raceway having a rolling element rolling surface, a loaded rolling element rolling surface that forms a loaded rolling element rolling path along which the rolling element rolls in a loaded state together with the rolling element rolling surface, and the load rolling element. And a moving body having an unloaded rolling element rolling path in which an infinite circulation path is formed together with the moving body rolling path, and the rolling element is rolled in an unloaded state. The unloaded rolling element rolling path is at least partially open toward the track body, and the unloaded rolling element rolling path is opened to the track body. A configuration is adopted in which a lubricant supply member for supplying a lubricant is provided opposite to the above-described portion, and the rolling element rolls inside the no-load rolling path while being in contact with the raceway .
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, the lubricant is supplied to the rolling elements that roll on the no-load rolling element rolling path by the lubricant supply member provided on the raceway.

  Further, in the present invention, the lubricant is supplied by the rolling elements rolling on the no-load rolling element rolling path directly contacting the occlusion body.

Moreover, in this invention, the said lubricant supply member employ | adopts the structure that it is provided corresponding to the movement path | route of the said no-load rolling-element rolling path accompanying the said relative movement.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, the lubricant can be supplied from the lubricant supply member while relatively moving.

In the present invention, the lubricant supply member is configured of an occlusion body containing a lubricant.
By employ | adopting such a structure, in this invention, a lubricant is supplied to the rolling element which rolls a no-load rolling element rolling path with the occlusion body provided in the track body.

Moreover, in this invention, the structure that the said occlusion body is formed from a fiber entanglement body is employ | adopted.
By employ | adopting such a structure, in this invention, an occlusion body is formed with members, such as a felt containing a lubricant.

In the present invention, the fiber entangled body adopts a configuration in which at least a part thereof receives supply of the lubricant in a supply unit that supplies the lubricant.
By employ | adopting such a structure, in this invention, a lubricant can be always contained using the capillary phenomenon of a fiber entanglement body.

Moreover, in this invention, the structure that the said occlusion body is formed from an oil-containing metal is employ | adopted.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, the lubricant can be supplied by the oil-containing metal.

Moreover, in this invention, the structure that the said occlusion body is formed from an oil-containing resin member is employ | adopted.
By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, the lubricant can be supplied by the oil-containing resin member.

According to the present invention, a raceway having a rolling element rolling surface, a loaded rolling element rolling surface that forms a loaded rolling element rolling path along which the rolling element rolls in a loaded state together with the rolling element rolling surface, and the above And a moving body having an unloaded rolling element rolling path in which an infinite circulation path is formed together with the loaded rolling element rolling path, and the rolling element rolls in an unloaded state. It is an exercise device that moves relative to each other via a moving body, wherein the track body is provided with a lubricant supply member that supplies a lubricant at a portion facing the unloaded rolling element rolling path. Thus, the lubricant is supplied to the rolling elements rolling on the no-load rolling element rolling path by the lubricating oil supply member provided on the raceway.
Therefore, in the present invention, since it is not necessary to connect the lubricating oil supply device, the size can be reduced, and the lubricant can be supplied without directly supplying the lubricant. There is an effect that can be provided.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, an example in which the exercise device of the present invention is applied to a ball spline device will be described. In the following drawings, the scale of each member is appropriately changed in order to make each member a recognizable size.

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a ball spline device S according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the ball spline device S shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the inner surface of the outer cylinder 2 of the ball spline device S viewed from the direction of the arrow Z shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ball spline device S includes a spline shaft (track body) 1 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a spline shaft formed in a substantially cylindrical shape via a large number of balls (rolling bodies) 3. 1 and an outer cylinder (moving body) 2 assembled to 1, and the outer cylinder 2 is configured to reciprocate freely around the spline shaft 1 in the axial direction.

Four ball rolling surfaces (rolling member rolling surfaces) 10 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the spline shaft 1 along the axial direction, and the ball 3 rolls outside these ball rolling surfaces 10 while rolling. A load is applied between the cylinder 2 and the spline shaft 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, each ball rolling surface 10 is formed in a circular arc shape in which a shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is an arc slightly larger than a spherical arc of the ball 3. These ball rolling surfaces 10 are symmetric to the outer peripheral surface of the spline shaft 1 with the ball rolling surface 10a and the ball rolling surface 10b, the ball rolling surface 10c and the ball rolling surface 10d adjacent to each other as a group. Is formed.
Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the spline shaft 1, as shown in FIG. 1, four occlusion bodies (lubricant supply members) 20 a to 20 d (described later) are provided in parallel to the ball rolling surfaces 10 a to 10 d. Are provided linearly in the longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, the outer cylinder 2 includes a metal outer cylinder body 4 and a pair of end plates 5 that are screwed to both ends in the axial direction of the outer cylinder body 4 with bolts. The end plate 5 has a through hole through which the spline shaft 1 is inserted.
As described above, the outer cylinder 2 composed of the combination of the outer cylinder body 4 and the end plate 5 has a configuration in which an infinite circulation path 30 on which the ball 3 rolls is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole facing the spline shaft 1. It has become.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the endless circulation path 30 is formed on the ball rolling surface 10 of the spline shaft 1 and the loaded ball rolling formed on the inner circumferential surface of the outer cylinder body 4 so as to face the ball rolling surface 10. A no-load rolling path 31a formed by the running surface 31 (a loaded rolling element rolling path) and a no-load rolling path formed slightly parallel to the loaded rolling path 31a with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder body 4. The rolling direction of the ball 3 is changed by 180 degrees between the running path (unloaded rolling element rolling path) 32, the loaded ball rolling surface 31 and the unloaded rolling path 32, and the ball 3 moves between these grooves. It has the structure which has the direction change path 33 to be made.
The infinite circulation path 30 is open toward the spline shaft 1 in the entire area, and the balls 3 arranged in the infinite circulation path 30 circulate in the infinite circulation path 30 facing the spline shaft 1. ing.

  The load ball rolling surface 31 is formed in a straight line in the length direction of the outer cylinder main body 4 and faces the ball rolling surface 10 of the spline shaft 1 so that the ball 3 rolls while receiving a load. A running path 31a is formed (see FIG. 3). The load rolling path 31 a is formed as a passage having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball 3. Therefore, the ball 3 is configured to roll in the load rolling path 31a in a load state in which a load is received between the loaded ball rolling surface 31 and the ball rolling surface 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the no-load rolling path 32 is slightly parallel to the loaded ball rolling surface 31 and slightly with respect to the spline shaft 1 due to the distance between the spline shaft 1 and the loaded ball rolling surface 31. It is formed so as to be separated. The no-load rolling path 32 is formed as a passage having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 3, and is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 2 in a state of opening toward the outer peripheral surface of the spline shaft 1. Yes. Accordingly, the ball 3 is accommodated in the no-load rolling path 32 in a no-load state, that is, in a state where it can freely rotate, and the no-load rolling path 32 is opened toward the spline shaft 1. It is configured to roll inside the no-load rolling path 32 while being in contact with the spline shaft 1.

  The direction change path 33 is provided in the end plate 5 and has a semicircular shape that allows the load rolling path 31a and the no-load rolling path 32 to communicate with each other. This direction change path 33 is shallowest in the communication part with the load rolling path 31a (close to the spline shaft 1) and deepest in the communication part with the no-load rolling path 32 (separated from the spline shaft 1). Is formed. When the ball 3 that has been rolling along the load rolling path 31a enters the direction switching path 33 due to the depth of the direction switching path 33 becoming gradually deeper, the ball 3 is released from the loaded state and changes to the unloaded state. It progresses toward the no-load rolling path 32 in the road 33 and enters the no-load rolling path 32 as it is.

  With the above configuration, the infinite circulation path 30 is formed in a substantially elliptical ring shape or circuit shape as shown in FIG. Therefore, the ball 3 that rolls on the load rolling path 31a is introduced into the direction changing path 33 from one end side of the load rolling path 31a and turned, and after rolling in the no-load rolling path 32, the other direction. An infinite circulation is possible in which it is introduced into the turning path 33 and introduced again into the load rolling path 31a on the other end side to roll. The outer cylinder 2 can move smoothly in the length direction of the spline shaft 1 by rolling these balls 3.

Subsequently, the configuration of the occlusion body 20 provided on the spline shaft 1 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the occlusion body 20 is provided so as to extend in the length direction of the spline shaft 1 so as to face the no-load rolling path 32. The occlusion body 20 has substantially the same width as the no-load rolling path 32 (see FIG. 3), is embedded in a groove provided in the spline shaft 1, and forms a part of the outer periphery of the spline shaft 1. ing.
The occlusion body 20 is formed, for example, by infiltrating a lubricant such as lubricating oil into a fiber entangled body such as felt or sponge fixed in the groove of the spline shaft 1 with an adhesive or a fixing member. Therefore, the occlusion body 20 is configured to occlude the lubricant and to supply the lubricant to the abutted member.

Further, as shown in the side view of the ball spline device S in FIG. 4, each of the occlusion bodies 20a to 20d is a lubricant supply device that stores lubricant at one end 1a and the other end 1b of the spline shaft 1. (Supply part) 50 is connected (the storage bodies 20b and 20c are not shown).
The lubricant supply device 50 is configured to appropriately supply a small amount of lubricant to the occlusion body 20, and the supplied lubricant penetrates the entire occlusion body 20 by the capillary phenomenon of the fiber entanglement body, and the occlusion body 20. Is permanently infiltrated with a lubricant.

Next, the operation of the ball spline device S having the above configuration will be described.
When the spline shaft 1 and the outer cylinder 2 constituting the ball spline device S move relative to each other via the ball 3, the ball 3 rolls in the endless circulation path 30 with the relative movement.
In the endless circulation path 30, on the load rolling path 31a shown in FIG. 3, the ball 3 rolls between the ball rolling surface 10 and the loaded ball rolling surface 31 in a loaded state. The ball 3 that has rolled on the load rolling path 31a is introduced into the no-load rolling path 32 via the direction switching path 33, and proceeds in the no-load rolling path 32 in an unloaded state.

  Here, the no-load rolling path 32 is open to the spline shaft 1, and the occlusion body 20 provided on the spline shaft 1 is provided to face the no-load rolling path 32. The ball 3 traveling in an unloaded state in the running path 32 rolls while contacting the occlusion body 20.

  The ball 3 rolling in the no-load rolling path 32 is supplied with the lubricant by contacting the occlusion body 20 infiltrated with the lubricant, and the ball 3 supplied with the lubricant is in the infinite circulation path 30. By infinite circulation, the lubricant is fed into the ball rolling surface 10 and the infinite circulation path 30, whereby the lubricant supply of the ball spline device S is performed.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the spline shaft 1 having the ball rolling surface 10 and the loaded ball rolling that forms the load rolling path 31a along which the ball 3 rolls in a loaded state together with the ball rolling surface 10. An outer cylinder 2 having an unloaded circulation path 32 in which an endless circulation path 30 is formed together with a surface 31 and a loaded rolling path 31a, and the ball 3 rolls in an unloaded state, and the spline shaft 1 and the outer cylinder 2 are It is a ball spline device S that moves relative to each other via a ball 3, and the spline shaft 1 has a configuration in which an occlusion body 20 containing a lubricant is provided at a portion facing the no-load rolling path 32. Thus, the lubricant is supplied to the balls 3 rolling on the no-load rolling path 32 by the occlusion body 20 provided on the spline shaft 1.
Therefore, in this embodiment, since it is not necessary to connect the lubricating oil supply device described in Patent Document 1 or 2 to the outer cylinder 2, it is possible to reduce the size, and the occlusion body contains a lubricant. By using 20, the lubricant can be supplied without directly supplying the lubricant to the outer cylinder 2, and there is an effect that the maintenance-free ball spline device S can be provided. Furthermore, by embedding the occlusion body 20 so as to face the unloaded rolling path 32 instead of the loaded rolling path 31a which affects the relative movement accuracy, the lubricant can be obtained without impairing the movement accuracy of the ball spline device S. Can be supplied.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the unloaded rolling path 32 adopts a configuration in which at least a part is opened toward the spline shaft 1 so that the balls 3 that roll on the unloaded rolling path 32 are occluded. Lubricant is supplied by directly contacting 20.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the occlusion body 20 is occluded over the whole movement path | route of the outer cylinder 2 by employ | adopting the structure provided corresponding to the movement path | route of the no-load rolling path 32 accompanying the said relative movement. The lubricant can be supplied from the body 20.

  In the present embodiment, the occlusion body 20 is formed of a member such as a felt containing a lubricant by adopting a configuration in which the occlusion body 20 is formed of a fiber entangled body. Therefore, the occlusion body 20 occludes the lubricant and can supply the lubricant to the abutted member, thereby realizing a long-term maintenance-free operation.

  In the present embodiment, at least a part of the fiber entangled body is supplied with the lubricant in the lubricant supply device 50 that supplies the lubricant, whereby the capillary phenomenon of the fiber entangled body is adopted. The lubricant can be constantly contained using Therefore, the occlusion body 20 can supply the lubricant over a long period of time without exhausting the lubricant. Furthermore, by utilizing the capillary phenomenon, the connection position between the lubricant supply device 50 and the occlusion body 20 can be arbitrarily set. For example, if the connection position is connected to the end of the spline shaft 1 as in the present embodiment. The movement of the outer cylinder 2 is not hindered.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring drawings, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. Various shapes, combinations, and the like of the constituent members shown in the above-described embodiments are examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the present embodiment, it has been described that the occlusion body 20 is supplied with a small amount of lubricant by the lubricant supply device 50 at the end. However, the lubricant supply device 50 of the present invention may be configured as shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a view in which the ball spline device S is arranged vertically, and a lubricant supply device 50 for infiltrating the end portion of the spline shaft 1 with the lubricant 50a is provided. By immersing the end portion of the spline shaft 1 in the lubricant 50a, the occlusion body 20 can suck up the lubricant 50a as appropriate using the capillary phenomenon, and can realize maintenance-free.

Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the occlusion body 20 has been described as being formed from a fiber entanglement body such as felt or sponge. However, this invention is not limited to the said structure, For example, the structure formed from members, such as an oil-containing metal and an oil-containing resin, may be sufficient. By using such a member, maintenance-free operation can be realized without additional supply of lubricant.
Further, the occlusion body 20 has been described as being fixed in the groove of the spline shaft 1 with an adhesive or the like. However, if the member has a certain degree of hardness such as oil-impregnated metal or oil-impregnated resin, A configuration may be adopted in which a slit or the like for fitting is formed in the slit and fitted and fixed to the slit or the like. Furthermore, as long as it has a certain size, the structure fixed using members, such as a volt | bolt, may be sufficient.

  In the present embodiment, the occlusion body 20 has been described as extending in the length direction of the spline shaft 1 so as to face the unloaded rolling path 32. However, the present invention may have a configuration in which a plurality of the occlusion bodies 20 are provided at predetermined intervals in the length direction of the spline shaft 1 such that the occlusion bodies 20 face the unloaded rolling path 32.

Moreover, in this embodiment, although the ball rolling surface 10 employ | adopted the 4 ball | bowl spline shaft 1, it does not limit the number of stripes, For example, the thing of composition of 6 or 8 etc. is adopted. Also good. In this case, since the infinite circulation path 30 is provided in the outer cylinder 2 in accordance with the number of strips used for the ball rolling surface 10, the occlusion body 20 has each unloaded rolling path 32 that forms each infinite circulation path 30. It is preferable to provide so that it may oppose.
In the present embodiment, the rolling element has been described as a spherical ball. However, the present invention does not necessarily have to be a ball, and may be, for example, a roller.

In the present embodiment, the exercise device has been described as the ball spline device S. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an exercise device such as a linear motion guide device or a ball screw can be applied.
In this case, for example, a linear motion guide device 100 as shown in FIG. 6 includes a track rail (track body) 101 having a ball rolling surface 110 and a moving block (moving body) 102 having a ball 103. The moving block 102 extends over the track rail 101 and is configured to be movable along the track rail 101. The track rail 101 is provided with a bolt mounting hole 111 into which a fixing bolt can be inserted, and the moving block 102 is provided with a mounting hole 123 for mounting a table or the like.
The moving block 102 is formed with an endless circuit 130 on which the ball 103 rolls facing the track rail 101, and the endless circuit 130 faces the ball rolling surface 110 as shown in FIG. Thus, there are a loaded ball rolling surface 131 that forms a loaded rolling path 131 a and a no-load rolling path 132 that is open toward the track rail 101.
The occlusion body 120 is linearly embedded in the track rail 101 so as to face the no-load rolling path 132, and is configured to supply a lubricant to the balls 103 rolling on the no-load rolling path 132.

Further, for example, in the case of a ball screw device 200 as shown in FIG. 7, a screw shaft (track body) 201 and a nut member (moving body) 202 are screwed together via a large number of balls 203. On the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 201, a ball rolling groove 210 of the ball 203 is formed in a spiral shape with a predetermined lead.
As shown in FIG. 7B, the nut member 202 is formed with an endless circulation path 230 on which the ball 203 rolls facing the screw shaft 201, and the endless circulation path 230 faces the ball rolling groove 210. Thus, it has a loaded ball rolling groove 231 forming a loaded rolling path 231a and a no-load rolling path 232 opened toward the screw shaft 201.
The occlusion body 220 is helically embedded in the screw shaft 201 so as to face the no-load rolling path 232 and is configured to supply a lubricant to the balls 203 rolling on the no-load rolling path 232.

  In the present invention, it has been described that the lubricant supply member is made of an occlusion body containing a lubricant. However, the present invention is not limited to a lubricant supply member made of an occlusion body. For example, a magnet is embedded in a portion where the solid grease or the occlusion body 20 shown in FIGS. A member formed by adsorbing a magnetic fluid, which is a mixture of a lubricant and a lubricant, to the magnet may be used as the lubricant supply member.

1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a ball spline device in an embodiment of the present invention. It is line AA sectional view shown in Drawing 1 of a ball spline device in an embodiment of the invention. It is the figure which looked at the inner surface of the outer cylinder which the ball spline apparatus in embodiment of this invention has from the arrow Z direction shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the lubricant supply apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the lubricant supply apparatus in another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the linear motion guide apparatus in another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the ball screw apparatus in another embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Spline shaft (track body), 2 ... Outer cylinder (moving body), 3 ... Ball (rolling body), 10 ... Ball rolling surface (rolling body rolling surface), 20 ... Occlusion body (lubricant supply member) , 30 ... Infinite circulation path, 31a ... Loaded rolling path (loaded rolling element rolling path), 32 ... Unloaded rolling path (unloaded rolling element rolling path), 50 ... Lubricant supply device (supply unit), S ... Ball spline Device (exercise device)

Claims (7)

A track body having a rolling element rolling surface, a loaded rolling element rolling surface that forms a loaded rolling element rolling path along which the rolling element rolls in a loaded state together with the rolling element rolling surface, and the loaded rolling element rolling path A moving body having an unloaded rolling element rolling path in which an infinite circulation path is formed and the rolling element rolls in an unloaded state, and the track body and the moving body move relative to each other via the rolling element. An exercise device that
The unloaded rolling element rolling path is at least partially open toward the track body,
The track body is provided with a lubricant supply member for supplying a lubricant so as to face the opened portion of the unloaded rolling element rolling path, and the rolling element is in contact with the track body while the non-loading rolling element is in contact with the track body. An exercise device characterized by rolling inside a load rolling path .   The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant supply member is provided corresponding to a movement path of the unloaded rolling element rolling path accompanying the relative movement.   The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant supply member is made of an occlusion body containing a lubricant.   The exercise device according to claim 3, wherein the occlusion body is formed of a fiber entangled body.   The exercise device according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the fiber entangled body is supplied with the lubricant in a supply unit that supplies the lubricant.   The exercise device according to claim 3, wherein the occlusion body is formed of an oil-containing metal.   The exercise device according to claim 3, wherein the occlusion body is formed of an oil-containing resin member.

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