Patent ID: 6520681
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
A linear motion guide unit; comprising a track rail having first raceway grooves on lengthwise sides thereof, a slider conforming to the track rail to fit over the track rail for movement relatively to the track rail and also having second raceway grooves confronting the first raceway grooves, and a recirculating-ball circuit allowing rolling elements to run through there, the recirculating-ball circuit including a load raceway defined between the first and second raceway grooves, a turnaround formed in the slider and connected at any one end thereof with the load raceway, and a return passage formed in the slider and connected to another end of the turnaround;wherein the slider is composed of a carriage having the second raceway grooves on inside surfaces thereof and also having recesses and return-passage grooves on outside surfaces thereof, end caps arranged on fore-and-aft ends of the carriage, one to each end, and each made therein with the turnaround, and a carriage frame constituted with side panels facing the outside surfaces of the carriage and end panels facing fore-and-aft outside end surfaces of the end caps; and wherein the side panels of the carriage frame are each made on inside surface thereof with a projection to fit in the associated recess of the carriage, so that the carriage is accommodated together with the end caps into the carriage frame in such a manner that the projection of the carriage frame fits in the recess of the carriage to hold the carriage, end caps and carriage frame in a unitary composite construction.