Abstract:
The present invention relates to a guiding module for rolling-element, which is comprised of the partition and the link-ring. The characteristic of the guiding module for rolling-element is that has the rotatable structure, which uses the cooperation of pillar and trough, therefore can enhance the function of the guiding module for rolling-element to turn freely.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a guiding module for rolling-element, and more particularly to a device for retaining rolling-element applied to linear transportation unit, the linear transportation unit is applied to machinery equipments, electronics, and automatic or semi conduction instruments.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Arts  
         [0004]     Conventional rolling-element retaining devices applied to linear transportation unit are generally divided into two categories: first one is an independent component rolling-element retaining device, and another one is a rolling-element retaining device made up of plural independent components. As shown in  FIG. 7 , wherein the slide block  60  is mounted onto a rail (not shown) and slides thereon, which is interiorly provided with a plurality of rolling elements  70  and between every two neighboring rolling elements  70  is inserted with a single partition  50  so as to prevent the rolling elements  70  from striking with each other. It is time-consuming to assemble this linear transportation unit by alternatively inserting the rolling element  70  and single partition  50  in the slide block  60 . Furthermore, the partitions  50  and the rolling elements  70  should contact with each other properly, if the intervals between the rolling elements  70  and the partitions  50  are too big, the partitions  50  may be disengaged from the adjoining rolling elements  70  and it will collide the sidewall of the reflow passage when moving in the reflow path, and even worse that the reflow path may be jammed. On the other hand, if the distance between the rolling elements  70  and the partitions  50  is too tight, the rolling elements  70  are unable to smoothly move due to frictions produced between the rolling elements  70  and the partitions  50 .  
         [0005]     With reference to  FIG. 8 , which shows a rolling-element retaining device made up of plural independent components, wherein the rolling-element retaining device  51  is made up of plural independent partitions  511  linked together by a flexible link-ring  512 , so as to confine the respective rolling elements  70  in the intervals between the neighboring partitions  511 . The method of making this kind of rolling-element retaining device  51  is by putting the rolling elements  70  in a mould, and then made by plastic ejection moulding, the plastic material and the ejection moulding machine should be high quality, so the production cost is relatively increased. Furthermore, due to the special manufacturing method, the rolling-element retaining devices and the rolling elements are coupled with each other too closely, such that the rolling resistance of the respective rolling elements will be very big. Furthermore, the partitions are fixedly connected to the link-ring, the partitions are unable to rotate relative to the chain, such that this kind of rolling-element retaining device cannot smoothly move in a reflow path.  
         [0006]     The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional guiding module for rolling-element.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The primary object of the present invention is to provide a guiding module for rolling-element with good steering ability, which can enable the rolling elements to move smoothly in the reflow path.  
         [0008]     The guiding module for rolling-element in accordance with the present invention is a retaining device for retaining the rolling elements. The retaining device changes the integral structure into a module structure made up of plural independent components, wherein the respective components are able to rotate with respect to each other, such that the rolling-element retaining device has a good steering performance.  
         [0009]     Due to the guiding module for rolling-element in accordance with the present invention is a module structure made up of plural independent components, the respective components are simple structured and can be produced easily by ejection molding, and thus the production cost is substantially reduced.  
         [0010]     Furthermore, the respective components of the guiding module for rolling element in accordance with the present invention are rotatable relative to each other, by virtue of the cooperation of the pillar structure and the trough, the steering ability of the guiding module for rolling element is substantially improved. Thereby the guiding module for rolling element in accordance with the present invention can enable the rolling elements to move smoothly in the reflow path.  
         [0011]     In addition, the separations of the guiding module in accordance with one aspect of the present invention can be formed in the shape of a cylinder, a triangle column or a polygonal column. And the trough structure on the partition can be in form of a trough with curved bottom. With the cooperation of the pillar structure and the trough, the guiding module for rolling element of the present invention is provided with good steering ability, and thus it can move smoothly in the reflow path.  
         [0012]     And the respective components of the present invention can be made of wear-resistant and flexible materials, so as to improve the steering performance and prolong the service life of the guiding module for rolling element of the present invention.  
         [0013]     The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which shows, for purpose of illustrations only, the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a guiding module for rolling-element in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is an amplified view of the partition in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a partition in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the link-ring in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a link-ring in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is perspective view of a guiding module for rolling-element in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a conventional rolling-element retaining device;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another conventional rolling-element retaining device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a guiding module for rolling-element in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the guiding module for rolling-element generally comprises partitions  20  and link-ring  10 . The spaces between the partitions  20  and the link-ring  10  are provided for retaining rolling elements (not shows). After the rolling elements are received in the spaces, the partitions  20  can be firmly positioned on the link-ring  10 , and the rolling elements will be separated from each other by the partitions  20  and the frictions are accordingly reduced, such that the rolling elements can move smoothly.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is an amplified view of the partition in  FIG. 1 , wherein both end surfaces of a base body  21  of the respective partitions  20  are formed with a curved surface  22  with a specified curvature corresponding to the curvature of the rolling elements (not shown). On the curved surface  22  of an end surface of the base body  21  is formed with coupling trough  23 , such that the partitions  20  can be connected to the link-ring  10 , so as to form a guiding module for rolling-element. Furthermore, the coupling trough  23  has a curved bottom, such that the partitions  20  are able to rotate when moving along the reflow path.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a partition in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein both end surfaces of a base body  31  of the partitions  30  are formed with a curved surface  32  with a specified curvature corresponding to the curvature of the rolling element (not shown). The distinctive characteristic of the partitions  30  in this embodiment comparing with the partition in  FIG. 2  is that the coupling trough  33  is defined in the side surface of the base body  31  and not on the curved end surface  32 , and alike, the partitions  30  can be connected to the link-ring  10  so as to form a guiding module for rolling-element. The partitions  30  in this embodiment can be easily assembled and disassembled.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the link-ring in  FIG. 1 , wherein the link-ring  10  is long-strip structured, which is ladder-structured and comprised of band-like coupling members  11  and pillar-like separations  12 . The coupling members  11  are used to connect the separations  12 . In this embodiment, the coupling members  11  are connected to both ends of the separations  12 , such that the positionability of the separations  12  is improved, and thus the spaces between the separations  12  and the coupling members  11  of the link-ring  10  wouldn&#39;t be deformed, extended or shrank.  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a link-ring in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the link-ring  40  comprises a band-like coupling member  41  and pillar-like seperations  42 . The main distinction of the link-ring  40  in this embodiment is that the coupling member  41  is only connected to one end of the pillar-like separations  42 , such that the separations  42  are provided with great oscillating flexibility during movement, and the space adjustability for the spaces between the separations  42  for retaining the rolling elements is secured. Thereby the guiding module in this embodiment can be applied to complicated reflow path for rolling-element. To prevent the disengagement of the partitions  20  or  30  from the non-connecting end of the separations  42 , a block  421  can be defined on another end of the coupling member  41 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is perspective view of a guiding module for rolling-element in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the guiding module for rolling-element generally comprises the partitions  20  and  30  that are linked with the link-ring  10 . The main distinction of this embodiment is that the partitions  20  and  30  are alternatively connected to the link-ring  10 , the structure of the guiding module for rolling-element in this embodiment enables the guiding module to be assembled and disassembled easily. The link-ring  10  in the second embodiment can be replaced by the link-ring  40 , such that the space adjustability for the spaces between the separations for retaining the rolling elements is secured, and thus the guiding module can be applied to complicated reflow path for rolling-element.  
         [0028]     While we have shown and described various embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.