Linear motion guide apparatus employing a roller train

A linear motion guide apparatus comprising:

• a long track rail;
• a sliding body capable of sliding freely along the track rail;
• a path formed in the sliding body for supporting the sliding body on the track rail, the path comprising:
• a rolling channel in a load-bearing region having a rolling surface formed in the sliding body opposing a rolling surface formed in the track rail;
• a return channel disposed parallel to the rolling channel;
• and change direction channels connecting ends of the rolling channel to ends of the return channel;
• a roller train integrated in the circulating path formed in the sliding body for supporting the sliding body on the track rail, the roller train comprising:
• a plurality of rollers;
• and a retaining member constructed of a flexible material for maintaining the plurality of rollers in a series, the retaining member comprising:
• a plurality of spacers disposed between neighboring rollers;
• and a plurality of end face supports connecting like lengthwise ends of neighboring spacers for supporting the left and right end faces of the rollers, the end face supports comprising:
• an outer side surface that slides in contact with the side walls of the path when the roller train is integrated in the path and utilizes the side walls as a guiding surface to maintain the rollers in their correct orientation.

A method for integrating a roller train in a linear motion guide apparatus, wherein the roller train is integrated in a circulating path of a sliding body for supporting the sliding body on a track rail, the roller train comprising:

• a plurality of rollers;
• a retaining member constructed of a flexible material for retaining the plurality of rollers in a series and comprising:
• a plurality of spacers, wherein one spacer is positioned between each pair of neighboring rollers;
• and a plurality of end face supports for supporting the left and right end faces of each roller, wherein each end face support links like lengthwise ends of neighboring spacers and comprises an outer side surface that restricts the orientation of the rollers when the roller train is incorporated in the path, by sliding in contact with side wall surfaces of the path;
• an engaging protrusion formed on one end of the roller train;
• and an engaging depression formed on the other end of the roller train for detachably engaging the engaging protrusion, the method comprising:
• removing one side cover of the sliding body to expose a change direction channel of the path in which the roller train is to be installed;
• inserting the roller train with its ends unconnected into the path via the change direction channel;
• positioning both ends of the roller train in the exposed change direction channel;
• engaging the engaging depression on one end of the roller train with the engaging protrusion on the other end to form the linking portion, such that both side surfaces of the linking portion are on the same plane as both side surfaces of other portions of the roller train;
• welding the engaged depression and protrusion to form an endless ring-shaped roller train;
• and reattaching the side cover to cover the change direction channel.