Sequential lock structure for server sliding rail
By designing a sequential locking structure, the inner rail and middle rail merge first, and the outer rail merges last, which solves the problem of damage to the middle rail caused by improper return sequence, and realizes the durability and ease of maintenance of the slide rail.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ACCURIDE INT SUZHOU CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
During the merging process of existing server slide rails, improper placement of the inner and middle rails can cause the middle rail to bear excessive torque, making it prone to damage and deformation, thus affecting its service life and smoothness.
Design a sequential locking structure that, through the cooperation of locking plates, locking pins and convex plates, ensures that the inner rail merges with the middle rail first, and then merges with the outer rail, thus avoiding excessive torque on the middle rail during retraction. The design eliminates the need for additional locking modules, reducing the number of parts and assembly steps.
It effectively reduces the torque on the middle rail, extends the service life of the slide rail, reduces production costs, and improves maintenance convenience and structural safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN121968508A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of server slide rail technology, and in particular to a sequence lock structure for server slide rails. Background Technology
[0002] Common slide rail systems have three sections: an outer slide rail, a middle slide rail, and an inner slide rail. Taking a drawer-type server as an example, the outer slide rail is fixed to the rack, the inner slide rail is fixed to both sides of the drawer-type server, and the middle slide rail is set between the outer and inner slide rails as a support rail to extend the range of motion of the drawer-type server. This allows the inner and middle slide rails to slide back and forth relative to the outer slide rail along its axial direction. Therefore, the drawer-type server can be freely pulled out or retracted via the slide rails.
[0003] Currently, during the slide rail assembly process, the inner and middle rails retract into the frame along the axial direction of the outer rail. However, because the middle rail often slides into the outer rail first for positioning before the inner rail slides into the middle rail, it is not possible for the inner rail to slide into the outer rail first and then perform the positioning action simultaneously. This results in the inner rail exerting a non-axial force on the middle rail when it finally retracts, causing the middle rail to bear a large torque during retraction and making it more prone to damage. This affects the service life and smoothness of the three-section slide rail. Furthermore, under this unreasonable positioning method, the middle rail will gradually deform due to repeated exposure to large torques. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a sequential locking structure for server slide rails. This sequential locking structure enables the inner rail and the middle rail to slide into the outer rail in sequence, thereby reducing the torque borne by the middle rail.
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems and achieve the above-mentioned technical effects, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution: The technical solution of the present invention is: a sequential lock structure for server slide rails, comprising a middle rail, an outer rail, and an inner rail. A locking piece is rotatably connected to the tail end of the front of the middle rail. A transverse gourd groove is provided on the front side of the locking piece, and a locking pin is provided inside the transverse gourd groove. An inner rail locking protrusion is provided at the tail end of the inner rail, and an outer rail locking protrusion is provided on the inner wall of the outer rail. The inner rail locking protrusion includes an inner protrusion located at the tail end of the inner rail. An inner locking groove is provided on the inner wall of the inner protrusion. A baffle is provided on one side of the bottom of the inner wall of the inner locking groove, and an inner locking cavity capable of locking the locking pin is provided on the other side of the bottom of the inner wall of the inner locking groove. The outer rail locking tab includes an outer locking groove provided on the inner wall of the outer rail. An outer sequence cavity is opened inside the outer locking groove, and an outer locking cavity is provided at one end of the outer sequence cavity to block the locking pin.
[0006] Furthermore, a guide section is provided on the side of the baffle away from the inner locking cavity, and a vertical part is provided on the side of the baffle close to the inner locking cavity to limit the locking pin.
[0007] Furthermore, the tail end of the middle rail surface is provided with a longitudinal gourd groove that allows the locking pin to move vertically, and the diameter of the bottom of the longitudinal gourd groove is larger than the diameter of the top of the longitudinal gourd groove.
[0008] Furthermore, the top and bottom of the locking pin are provided with circular caps, and the diameter of the circular caps is larger than the diameter of the locking pin.
[0009] Furthermore, a rotating groove is provided at the tail end of the surface of the locking plate, a slot is provided at the center of the locking plate, a rotating rod is provided at the tail end of the rotating groove and rotatably connected to the middle rail, and a locking block is provided on the back of the baffle plate that matches the slot.
[0010] Furthermore, the diameter of the front end of the transverse gourd groove is smaller than the diameter of the rear end of the transverse gourd groove.
[0011] Furthermore, the middle rail is slidably connected to the outer rail, and the length of the outer rail is greater than the length of the middle rail.
[0012] Furthermore, the inner rail is slidably connected to the middle rail, and the length of the middle rail is greater than the length of the inner rail.
[0013] The beneficial technical effects of this invention are: (1) The server slide rail uses a sequential locking structure. When the inner rail and the middle rail merge, the outer locking groove will block the locking pin to ensure that the middle rail cannot merge with the outer rail first. Then the inner rail and the middle rail merge first. When merging, the guide section in the inner rail will guide the locking pin, so that the locking pin moves along the surface of the guide section. When the locking pin moves to the bottom of the longitudinal gourd groove, the outer locking groove will remove the blockage of the locking pin. Then the middle rail and the outer rail merge. This avoids the problem that the middle rail will gradually deform when it retracts because the middle rail returns to the outer rail first.
[0014] (2) The server slide rail uses a sequential lock structure. The lock plate is connected to the middle rail by rotation, the inner convex piece is integrally formed on the inner rail, and the outer lock groove is directly set on the inner wall of the outer rail. This design eliminates the need for additional independent locking modules or connectors. This design not only reduces the number of parts and assembly steps and lowers the production cost, but also facilitates disassembly and replacement during subsequent maintenance (without disassembling complex external modules), thus improving maintenance efficiency and convenience.
[0015] (3) The server slide rail uses a sequential lock structure. The circular covers at the top and bottom of the locking pin not only increase the force-bearing area and reduce wear, but also form a physical barrier against falling off through a structural design with a diameter larger than that of the locking pin itself and the hole diameter of each slot. No matter whether the slide rail is in an unfolded or folded state or is subjected to vibration or collision, the circular covers can prevent the locking pin from falling out of the horizontal gourd slot and the vertical gourd slot, thus preventing the sequential lock from failing due to the locking pin falling off, thereby preventing the slide rail from being unable to lock or from sliding accidentally, and ensuring the structural safety of the server during installation and use. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking plate of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a rear view schematic diagram of the structure of the middle rail and the longitudinal gourd groove in this invention; Figure 5 This is a front view schematic diagram of the structure of the inner convex piece of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a front view schematic diagram of the structure of the locking piece and the inner protrusion piece of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a front view schematic diagram of the structure of the outer rail and outer locking groove of the present invention.
[0017] The numbers and letters in the diagram represent the names of the corresponding components: 1. Middle rail; 11. Longitudinal hoist groove; 12. Rotating rod; 2. Outer rail; 21. Outer locking groove; 22. Outer locking cavity; 23. Outer sequential cavity; 3. Locking plate; 31. Transverse hoist groove; 32. Rotating groove; 33. Slot; 3.4, 34; 4. Inner rail; 5. Inner convex piece; 51. Guide section; 52. Inner locking cavity; 53. Inner locking groove; 54. Baffle plate; 6. Locking pin. Detailed Implementation
[0018] In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0019] See appendix Figure 1-7As shown, a sequential lock structure for server slide rails includes a middle rail 1, an outer rail 2, and an inner rail 4. The middle rail 1 is slidably connected to the outer rail 2, and the length of the outer rail 2 is greater than the length of the middle rail 1. The inner rail 4 is slidably connected to the middle rail 1, and the length of the middle rail 1 is greater than the length of the inner rail 4. A locking piece 3 is rotatably connected to the tail end of the front of the middle rail 1. A rotating groove 32 is formed at the tail end of the surface of the locking piece 3. A slot 33 is provided at the center of the locking piece 3. A rotating rod 12 rotatably connected to the middle rail 1 is provided at the tail end of the rotating groove 32. A transverse gourd groove 31 is formed on the front side of the locking piece 3. The front end aperture is smaller than the rear end aperture of the transverse gourd groove 31. A locking pin 6 is provided inside the transverse gourd groove 31. A longitudinal gourd groove 11 is provided at the tail end of the surface of the middle rail 1, which allows the locking pin 6 to move vertically. The bottom aperture of the longitudinal gourd groove 11 is larger than the top aperture of the longitudinal gourd groove 11. Both the top and bottom of the locking pin 6 are provided with circular caps, and the diameter of the circular caps is larger than the diameter of the locking pin 6. By providing circular caps, the locking pin 6 has a larger force-bearing area, which can better push the locking pin 6 to move. The locking pin 6 can move vertically inside the longitudinal gourd groove 11.
[0020] A rotating rod 12 is provided inside the rotating groove 32, so that the locking piece 3 is rotatably connected to the middle rail 1 through the rotating rod 12. When the locking piece 3 rotates around the rotating rod 12, the locking pin 6 moves vertically in the inner cavity of the longitudinal gourd groove 11 through the space of the transverse gourd groove 31. The diameter of the bottom of the longitudinal gourd groove 11 is larger than the diameter of the top of the longitudinal gourd groove 11, so that when the locking pin 6 moves to the bottom of the longitudinal gourd groove 11, the locking pin 6 has more space to move, so that the locking pin 6 drives the locking piece 3 to move.
[0021] The inner rail 4 is provided with an inner rail locking protrusion at its tail end, which protrudes from the back of the inner rail 4. The outer rail 2 is provided with an outer rail locking protrusion on its inner wall, which protrudes from the front of the outer rail 2. The inner rail locking protrusion includes an inner protrusion 5 at the tail end of the inner rail 4. The inner wall of the inner protrusion 5 is provided with an inner locking groove 53. A baffle 54 is provided on one side of the bottom of the inner wall of the inner locking groove 53. An inner locking cavity 52 is provided on the other side of the bottom of the inner wall of the inner locking groove 53, which can lock the locking pin 6. A vertical part is provided on the side of the baffle 54 away from the guide section 51, which can limit the locking pin 6.
[0022] The guide section 51 allows the locking pin 6 to move into the inner locking cavity 52 from either the top or bottom of the longitudinal gourd groove 11 via the guide section 51.
[0023] The outer rail locking tab includes an outer locking groove 21 located on the inner wall of the outer rail 2. An outer sequence cavity 23 is provided inside the outer locking groove 21. One end of the outer sequence cavity 23 is provided with an outer locking cavity 22 that can block the locking pin 6.
[0024] As attached Figure 5 and attached Figure 7 As shown, the inner protrusion 5 and the outer locking groove 21 have opposite structures. Therefore, when the locking pin 6 is at the top of the longitudinal gourd groove 11, the outer locking groove 21 will block the locking pin 6 when the middle rail 1 returns to its original position. At this time, the middle rail 1 cannot continue to return to its original position. Therefore, the inner rail 4 can return to its original position with the middle rail 1 first. When the inner rail 4 returns to its original position, the baffle 54 on the inner rail 4 guides the circular cover on the top of the locking pin 6, thereby driving the locking pin 6 to move. Then, the locking pin 6 moves through the circular cover on the top to the inner locking cavity 52 of the inner protrusion 5. At this time, the locking pin 6 is in position. At the bottom of the longitudinal gourd groove 11, the outer locking groove 21 releases the restriction on the bottom of the locking pin 6. Then, the circular cover at the bottom of the locking pin 6 can be moved into the outer locking cavity 22 through the outer sequence cavity 23 to complete the return. Compared with the traditional three-section slide rail, when the slide rail is combined, the inner rail 4 must be combined with the middle rail 1 first, and then the middle rail 1 is combined with the outer rail 2. This avoids the middle rail 1 bearing a large torque when it retracts, which would cause the middle rail 1 to gradually deform due to repeated bearing of a large torque during long-term use.
[0025] The back of the baffle 54 is provided with a locking block that matches the slot 33. When the baffle 54 reaches the slot 33 on the lock plate 3, the locking block on the back of the baffle 54 will engage with the inside of the slot 33, producing a certain tactile feedback to indicate to the staff that the inner rail 4 has finished returning to its position. The cooperation between the locking block and the slot 33 also provides a certain resistance when the inner rail 4 is subsequently unfolded. At this time, a certain amount of force needs to be applied to unfold it, which avoids the problem that if the locking pin 6 is accidentally touched and moves upward to unlock it during installation or transport, the inner rail 4 will be shaken or automatically unfolded by gravity, affecting the staff's normal carrying or installation.
[0026] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A sequential lock structure for server slide rails, characterized in that, include: The middle rail (1), outer rail (2) and inner rail (4) are provided. The tail end of the front of the middle rail (1) is rotatably connected to a locking piece (3). A transverse gourd groove (31) is provided on the front side of the locking piece (3). A locking pin (6) is provided inside the transverse gourd groove (31). An inner rail locking protrusion is provided at the tail end of the inner rail (4). An outer rail locking protrusion is provided on the inner wall of the outer rail (2). The inner rail locking tab includes an inner tab (5) located at the tail of the inner rail (4). The inner wall of the inner tab (5) is provided with an inner locking groove (53). A baffle (54) is provided on one side of the bottom of the inner wall of the inner locking groove (53). An inner locking cavity (52) capable of locking the locking pin (6) is provided on the other side of the bottom of the inner wall of the inner locking groove (53). The outer rail locking tab includes an outer locking groove (21) provided on the inner wall of the outer rail (2). An outer sequence cavity (23) is provided inside the outer locking groove (21). One end of the outer sequence cavity (23) is provided with an outer locking cavity (22) that can block the locking pin (6).
2. The sequential lock structure for server slide rails according to claim 1, characterized in that, The baffle (54) has a guide section (51) on the side away from the inner locking cavity (52), and the baffle (54) has a vertical part on the side close to the inner locking cavity (52) that can limit the locking pin (6).
3. The sequential lock structure for server slide rails according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tail end of the surface of the middle rail (1) is provided with a longitudinal gourd groove (11) for the locking pin (6) to move vertically. The diameter of the bottom of the longitudinal gourd groove (11) is larger than the diameter of the top of the longitudinal gourd groove (11).
4. The sequential lock structure for server slide rails according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top and bottom of the locking pin (6) are provided with circular covers, and the diameter of the circular covers is larger than the diameter of the locking pin (6).
5. The sequential lock structure for server slide rails according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking plate (3) has a rotating groove (32) at the tail end of its surface, a slot (33) at the center of its center, a rotating rod (12) at the tail end of the rotating groove (32) that is rotatably connected to the middle rail (1), and a locking block that is compatible with the slot (33) on the back of the baffle plate (54).
6. The sequential lock structure for server slide rails according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front end aperture of the transverse gourd groove (31) is smaller than the rear end aperture of the transverse gourd groove (31).
7. The sequential lock structure for server slide rails according to claim 1, characterized in that, The middle rail (1) is slidably connected to the outer rail (2), and the length of the outer rail (2) is greater than the length of the middle rail (1).
8. The sequential lock structure for server slide rails according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner rail (4) is slidably connected to the middle rail (1), and the length of the middle rail (1) is greater than the length of the inner rail (4).