Patent ID: 6164022
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: B23Q,F16C,F16F

Abstract:
A three-dimensional guiding apparatus having a base, a first curved guiding apparatus mounted on the base and having an arcuate track, a second curved guiding apparatus disposed above the first curved guiding apparatus and having a plane of movement along an arcuate track which crosses the plane of movement of the first curved guiding apparatus, and an intermediate member positioned between the first curved guiding apparatus and the second curved guiding apparatus and interconnecting the first curved guiding apparatus and the second curved guiding apparatus,each of the first and second curved guiding apparatuses comprising:a track rail vertically curved at a predetermined curvature and having a plurality of rolling element rolling grooves defined in outer surfaces thereof;a bearing block comprising a substantially cylindrical rigid body and having in inner surfaces thereof a plurality of rolling element rolling grooves in alignment with said rolling element rolling grooves in said track rail and non-loading rolling element rolling passages adjacent to said rolling element rolling grooves;a pair of lids mounted respectively on front and rear ends of said bearing block and having respective rolling element direction changing passages defined in respective inner surfaces thereof, said rolling element direction changing passages connecting ends of said rolling element rolling grooves and said non-loading rolling element passages and providing an endless rolling element circulation path; anda plurality of rolling elements disposed to circulate in said endless rolling element circulation path for bearing loads between said rolling element rolling grooves in said track rail and the rolling element rolling grooves in said bearing block;said intermediate member comprising a rigid body in the form of a block and having open cylindrical recesses defined respectively in two surfaces thereof, said bearing blocks being rotatably fitted in said open cylindrical recesses.