Linear-motion device and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

A linear-motion device has: a slider provided onto a guide rail relatively movably; and a plurality of rolling elements for causing the slider to move relatively in a longitudinal direction of the guide rail; whereby the slider comprising a slider block having rolling-element rolling grooves that oppose to rolling-element rolling grooves formed on the guide rail, and end caps that close both-end openings of the rolling-element rolling paths formed between the rolling-element rolling grooves on the slider block and the rolling-element rolling grooves on the guide rail, and rolling-element return paths for returning the rolling elements, which have rolled in the rolling-element rolling paths, are formed on the slider block, wherein the rolling-element return paths comprises a groove portion formed on an outer surface of the slider block along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, and a cover member for covering the groove portion.

1 . A method of manufacturing a linear-motion device comprising steps of: 
 preparing: a guide rail having rolling-element rolling grooves on outer surfaces thereof, the rolling-element rolling grooves extending in an axial direction of the guide rail;    a slider having rolling-element rolling grooves disposed so as to be opposed to the rolling-element rolling grooves of the guide rail, and a rolling-element introducing port opened on an outer surface of the slider so as to communicate with rolling-element circulation paths that are constructed by rolling-element rolling paths formed of both rolling-element rolling grooves, and rolling-element return paths coupled to both end portions of the rolling-element rolling paths via curved paths, and fitted to the guide rail relatively movably in the axial direction thereof; and,    a plurality of rolling elements circulated while rolling in the rolling-element circulation paths;    introducing the rolling elements into the rolling-element circulation paths from the rolling-element introducing port after the slider is fitted to the guide rail; and    closing the rolling-element introducing port.    
   
   
       2 . A method of manufacturing a linear-motion device comprising steps of: 
 preparing: a guide rail having rolling-element rolling grooves on outer surfaces thereof, the rolling-element rolling grooves extending in an axial direction of the guide rail;    a slider having rolling-element rolling grooves disposed so as to be opposed to the rolling-element rolling grooves of the guide rail, and a rolling-element introducing port opened on an outer surface of the slider so as to communicate with rolling-element circulation paths that are constructed by rolling-element rolling paths formed of both rolling-element rolling grooves, and rolling-element return paths coupled to both end portions of the rolling-element rolling paths via curved paths, and fitted to the guide rail relatively movably in the axial direction thereof;    a plurality of rolling elements circulated while rolling in the rolling-element circulation paths; and,    a provisional guide rail having a same outer shape as the guide rail;    fitting the slider to the provisional guide rail relatively movably in the axial direction thereof;    introducing the rolling elements into the rolling-element circulation paths from the rolling-element introducing port;    closing the rolling-element introducing port;    disposing the provisional guide rail and the guide rail in such a manner that respective end portions thereof come into contact with each other or are positioned close to each other such that the provisional guide rail and the guide rail are continued in the axial direction; and    moving the slider from the provisional guide rail to the guide rail.    
   
   
       3 . The method of manufacturing a linear-motion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the rolling elements are charged into the rolling-element circulation paths in excess of 90% in length thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The method of manufacturing a linear-motion device according to  claim 2 , wherein the rolling elements are charged into the rolling-element circulation paths in excess of 90% in length thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The method of manufacturing a linear-motion device according to  claim 1 , wherein spacers are interposed between the rolling elements.  
   
   
       6 . The method of manufacturing a linear-motion device according to  claim 2 , wherein spacers are interposed between the rolling elements.