Slide rail device with synchronous stopping mechanism

Abstract

A slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism is suitable for installation in a server rack housing multiple slide rail devices. These slide rail devices are connected to a linkage. Each slide rail device includes an outer frame, an outer rail, a middle rail, and a synchronous stopping mechanism. The outer rail includes a movable groove, and the middle rail includes a central outer surface facing the outer rail. The synchronous stopping mechanism includes a stop member movably passing through the movable groove and fixed to the linkage, a stop block disposed on the central outer surface, a linkage piece, and an elastic member disposed on a mounting surface and connected to the linkage piece. Each stop block has a stop protrusion, which collectively define an inclined, extending stop groove into which the stop member movably extends. When the middle rail moves relative to the outer rail, the stop member is pushed by the stop block and moves downward along the stop groove, thereby causing the linkage to move downward. Simultaneously, it causes the stop members of other slide rail devices to move downward to the side of the stop protrusion, thus stopping the movement of the middle rails of other slide rail devices relative to the outer rails.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a slide rail device, and more particularly to a slide rail device having a synchronous stopping mechanism. [Previous Technology]

[0002] A typical server rack can accommodate multiple server chassis, which are mounted in the rack using multiple sliding rails. Each sliding rail has an outer rail fixed to the rack, a middle rail movably mounted on the outer rail, and an inner rail movably mounted on the middle rail. The server chassis is mounted on the inner rail. When the server chassis needs maintenance or replacement, it can be pulled out of the rack using the extension / retraction function of the sliding rails. However, existing sliding rails do not have a function to prevent unintended server chassis from being pulled out of the same rack on their own, therefore there is room for improvement. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism that can solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

[0004] Therefore, the slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism of the present invention is suitable for installation in a server rack, the server rack being provided with multiple slide rail devices, the slide rail devices being connected to a linkage, each slide rail device comprising...

[0005] In some embodiments, the linkage piece also has a first hook that connects to one end of the elastic member.

[0006] In some embodiments, the synchronous stopping mechanism further includes a fixing member disposed on the mounting surface, the fixing member having a second hook connected to the other end of the elastic member.

[0007] In some embodiments, the stop includes a movable portion that can movably pass through the outer through groove and the movable groove, an abutting portion that connects to the movable portion and abuts against the second outer surface, and a connecting portion that connects to the abutting portion and is adapted to fix the linkage.

[0008] In some embodiments, the stop member further includes a groove formed in the joint, the linkage piece engaging in the groove and located on the mounting surface.

[0009] The present invention has at least the following effects: when the middle rail moves toward the first end relative to the outer rail, the stop member is pushed by the stop block and moves downward along the stop groove, thereby driving the linkage member to move downward, and at the same time driving the stop members of other slide rail devices to move downward to the side of the stop protrusion, so as to stop the middle rail of other slide rail devices from moving relative to the outer rail, thereby achieving the effect of preventing other slide rail devices from being pulled out.

Implementation Method

[0010] This section will describe in detail the specific embodiments of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings. The purpose of the drawings is to supplement the description of the text in the specification with graphics, so that people can intuitively and vividly understand each technical feature and the overall technical solution of the present invention, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0011] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0012] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "more than" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," "exceeding," etc. are understood to exclude the number itself, and "above," "below," "within," etc. are understood to include the number itself. If "first" or "second" is mentioned, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features or the order of indicated technical features.

[0013] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly limited, terms such as setting, installing, and connecting should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0014] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, one embodiment of the slide rail device 10 with a synchronous stopping mechanism of the present invention is suitable for installation in a server rack (not shown). The server rack accommodates multiple slide rail devices 10. These slide rail devices 10 are connected to a linkage 6. The linkage 6 includes a vertically extending linkage rod 61 and two horizontally extending connecting pieces 62 connecting the linkage rod 61. The linkage rod 61 has two linkage holes 611. The connecting pieces 62 are suitable for engaging with the server rack. Each slide rail device 10 includes an outer frame 1, an outer rail 2, a middle rail 3, an inner rail (not shown), and a synchronous stopping mechanism 5.

[0015] The outer frame 1 is adapted to be fixed to the server rack and includes a movable surface 11, a mounting surface 12 opposite to the movable surface 11 and facing the server rack, an external through groove 13 connecting the movable surface 11 and the mounting surface 12, a first end 14, and a second end 15 opposite to the first end 14. The outer rail 2 is disposed on the movable surface 11 and includes a first outer surface 21, a second outer surface 22 opposite to the first outer surface 21 and facing the movable surface 11, and a movable groove 23 corresponding to the external through groove 13. The middle rail 3 is movably disposed on the outer rail 2 and includes a middle outer surface 31 facing the outer rail 2. The inner rail (not shown) is movably disposed on the middle rail 3 and is adapted to connect a server chassis (not shown).

[0016] Referring to Figures 4 to 7, the synchronous stopping mechanism 5 includes a stop 51 that movably passes through the outer through groove 13 and the movable groove 23 and is suitable for fixing the linkage 6; two stop blocks 52 spaced apart on the middle outer surface 31; a linkage piece 55 partially sleeved on the stop 51; an elastic member 54 disposed on the mounting surface 12 and connected to the linkage piece 55; and a fixing member 56 disposed on the mounting surface 12. The stop 51 includes a movable part 511 that movably passes through the outer through groove 13 and the movable groove 23; an abutting part 512 that connects to the movable part 511 and abuts against the second outer surface 22; a connecting part 513 that connects to the abutting part 512 and is suitable for extending into the linkage hole 611 to fix the linkage 6; and a groove 514 formed in the connecting part 513. The radius of the movable portion 511 is smaller than the radius of the joint portion 513, and the radius of the joint portion 513 is smaller than the radius of the abutting portion 512. The movable portion 511 and the joint portion 513 are cylindrical, and the abutting portion 512 is disc-shaped. Each stop 52 has a stop protrusion 521, and the stop protrusions 521 together define a stop groove 53 that extends downward toward the second end 15 for the stop member 51 to movably extend into.

[0017] The elastic member 54 is a tension spring, and the connecting piece 55 is partially sleeved on the stop member 51 and located on the mounting surface 12 by engaging with the groove 514. The connecting piece 55 has a through groove 551 through which the stop member 51 passes, a protrusion 552 located in the through groove 551 protruding toward the second end 15 to abut against the stop member 51, and a first hook 553 connecting one end of the elastic member 54 (see Figure 8). The fixing member 56 has a second hook 561 connecting the other end of the elastic member 54.

[0018] Referring to Figures 7 to 10, in an initial position, the movable part 511 of the stop 51 is located above one of the blocks 52, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. When a user wants to remove a server chassis (not shown) from the server rack (not shown), they will pull the inner rail (not shown), thereby causing the middle rail 3 to move relative to the outer rail 2 toward the first end 14. At this time, the movable part 511 of the stop 51 is pushed by the block 52 and moves downward along the stop groove 53. At this time, the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 54 can drive the connecting piece 55 to continue moving toward the fixing member 56, so that the protrusion 552 abuts against the stop 51, preventing the stop 51 from being blocked. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the linking member 6 is fixed to the connecting part 6 by the joint 513 of the stop member 51, which in turn drives the linking member 6 to move downward. At the same time, the stop members 51 of the other slide rail devices 10 move downward to the side of the stop protrusion 521, as shown in Figure 11. The middle rail 3 of the other slide rail devices 10 will be unable to move relative to the outer rail 2 because the stop protrusion 521 is blocked by the moving part 511, thus preventing the other slide rail devices 10 from being pulled out. As the middle rail 3 of the slide rail device 10 corresponding to the pulled-out server rack continues to move relative to the outer rail 2, the protrusion 552 continuously blocks the movable part 511, keeping it positioned downwards. This ensures that the linkage 6 is continuously moving downwards, thereby preventing the middle rails 3 of other slide rail devices 10 from moving relative to the outer rail 2 due to the blocking protrusion 521 being blocked by the movable part 511. Only after the pulled-out server rack returns to the server rack does the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 54 cause the linkage piece 55 and the blocking member 51 to reset and move upwards. Once the movable part 511 of the blocking member 51 returns to its initial position, it will cause the linkage 6 to move upwards, allowing the movable parts 511 of other slide rail devices 10 to also return to their initial positions. This releases the blocking relationship with the blocking protrusion 521, ensuring that only one server rack can be pulled out at a time.

[0019] In summary, the slide rail device 10 of the present invention with synchronous stopping mechanism 5 moves downward along the stopping groove 53 when the middle rail 3 moves towards the first end 14 relative to the outer rail 2, by the stopping member 51 being pushed by the stopping block 52, thereby driving the linkage member 6 to move downward, and at the same time driving the stopping members 51 of other slide rail devices 10 to move downward to the side of the stopping protrusion 521, so as to stop the middle rail 3 of other slide rail devices 10 from moving relative to the outer rail 2, thereby achieving the effect of preventing other slide rail devices 10 from being pulled out, thus effectively achieving the purpose of the present invention.

[0020] However, the above description is only an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification shall still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0021] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism of the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of two of the embodiments connected by a linkage; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of an outer frame and a synchronous stopping mechanism of the embodiment; Figure 5 is a rear view of a middle rail of the embodiment; Figure 6 is a partial sectional view obtained by section line VI-VI of Figure 1, wherein the middle rail and an inner rail are omitted; Figure 7 is an incomplete rear view of the middle rail of the embodiment, illustrating that a movable part of a stop member of the synchronous stopping mechanism is in an initial position and has not yet abutted against the stops; Figure 8 is a rear view of an outer frame of the embodiment, illustrating that the movable part of the synchronous stopping mechanism is in the initial position; Figure 9 is an incomplete rear view of the middle rail of the embodiment, illustrating that the movable part of the synchronous stopping mechanism moves down along the stop groove. Figure 10 is a rear view of the outer frame of this embodiment, illustrating that the movable part of the synchronous stop mechanism moves downward; and Figure 11 is an incomplete rear view of the middle rail of this embodiment, illustrating that the movable part of the synchronous stop mechanism of the slide rail device with a synchronous stop mechanism is stopped by a stop protrusion.

Claims

1. A slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism, suitable for installation in a server rack, the server rack accommodating multiple slide rail devices, the slide rail devices being connected to a linkage, each slide rail device comprising: an outer frame suitable for being fixed to the server rack, and including a movable surface, a mounting surface opposite to the movable surface and facing the server rack, an external through groove communicating with the movable surface and the mounting surface, a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; an outer rail disposed on the movable surface, and including a first outer surface, a second outer surface opposite to the first outer surface and facing the movable surface, and a movable groove positioned corresponding to the external through groove; A middle rail, movably disposed on the outer rail, and including a middle outer surface facing the outer rail; and a synchronous stopping mechanism, including a stop member movably passing through the outer through groove and the movable groove and suitable for fixing the linkage member, two stops spaced apart on the middle outer surface, a linkage piece partially sleeved on the stop member, and an elastic member horizontally extending on the mounting surface and connected to the linkage piece, each stop block having a stop protrusion, the stop protrusions collectively defining a stop groove extending downward toward the second end for the stop member to movably extend into, the linkage piece having a through groove for the stop member to pass through and a protrusion located in the through groove protruding toward the second end to abut against the stop member; When the middle rail moves toward the first end relative to the outer rail, the stop member is pushed by the stop block and moves downward along the stop groove, thereby driving the linkage member to move downward. At the same time, it drives the stop members of other slide rail devices to move downward to the side of the stop protrusion, so as to stop the middle rail of other slide rail devices from moving relative to the outer rail. The elastic restoring force of the elastic member can drive the linkage piece to abut the stop member, preventing the stop member from moving upward.

2. The slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein, The linkage also has a first latch that connects to one end of the elastic element.

3. The slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein, The synchronous stopping mechanism also includes a fixing member disposed on the mounting surface, the fixing member having a second hook that connects to the other end of the elastic member.

4. The slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein, The stop includes a movable part that can pass through the outer through slot and the movable slot, an abutting part that connects to the movable part and abuts against the second outer surface, and a connecting part that connects to the abutting part and is suitable for fixing the linkage.

5. The slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism as described in claim 4, wherein, The stop also includes a groove formed in the joint, and the linkage engages in the groove and is located on the mounting surface.

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