Slide rail assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly, which comprises a first rail, a second rail, a slide assisting device, an elastic member and an auxiliary member. The first rail is arranged with a predetermined structure; the slide assisting device is movably mounted on the first rail and the second rail; the elastic member is arranged on the slide assisting device, and the elastic member comprises a predetermined feature; the auxiliary member is arranged on the second rail; during the process that the second rail is released from an extended position to an opening direction relative to the first rail, the auxiliary member will be in contact with the predetermined feature of the elastic member, so as to drive the slide assisting device to a predetermined position in the opening direction, and the slide assisting device is clamped with the predetermined structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a slide rail assembly, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly with a sliding aid device. Background Technology

[0002] For example, US Patent Publication No. 9,980,566B2 discloses a slide rail assembly comprising a first rail, a second rail, a stop, a ball retainer, and a stop. The stop is disposed on the first rail; the ball retainer facilitates movement between the second rail and the first rail; and the stop is disposed on the second rail. Each time the second rail is pulled out relative to the first rail, the stop forces the ball retainer until a locking feature of the ball retainer engages with a spring-loaded foot on the stop of the first rail, temporarily holding and stopping the ball retainer at a predetermined position. However, if the second rail moves relative to the ball retainer locked at the predetermined position, unexpected frictional resistance may occur between the second rail and the ball retainer, resulting in an unsmooth opening or closing experience for the user.

[0003] Furthermore, in existing slide rail assemblies, although the ball retainer is not forcibly driven to a predetermined position during the process of the second rail being pulled out relative to the first rail, if the ball retainer is not locked to the predetermined position during the process of the second rail being removed from the first rail and reinserted into the channel of the first rail, then the rail section (e.g., the rear section) of the second rail cannot obtain the support of the balls of the ball retainer during the process of the second rail being reinserted into the channel of the first rail. Therefore, it is not conducive to the reinstallation of the second rail into the channel of the first rail.

[0004] However, with varying market demands, how to develop different slide rail products to provide the market with more diverse choices has become a topic worth exploring. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a slide rail assembly in which a sliding aid device can be driven to a predetermined position during the process of removing one slide rail from another slide rail.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a sliding aid device, an elastic member, and an auxiliary member. The first rail is arranged with a predetermined structure; the second rail is displaceable relative to the first rail; the sliding aid device is movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail; the elastic member is arranged to the sliding aid device and includes a predetermined feature; the auxiliary member is arranged to the second rail; wherein, when the second rail is displaced relative to the first rail in an opening direction to an extended position, the auxiliary member will not contact the predetermined feature of the elastic member; wherein, when the second rail is detached relative to the first rail from the extended position to the opening direction, the auxiliary member will contact the predetermined feature of the elastic member to forcibly drive the sliding aid device in the opening direction to a predetermined position that engages with the predetermined structure.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a sliding aid device, an elastic member, an auxiliary member, a first working member, and a first release member. The first rail includes a channel and a first predetermined feature and a stop located within the channel; the second rail is displaceable relative to the first rail; the sliding aid device is movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail; the elastic member is arranged to the sliding aid device and includes a second predetermined feature; the auxiliary member is arranged to the second rail; the first working member is movably mounted to the second rail; wherein, when the second rail is in an extended position relative to the first rail, the first working member blocks one end of the stop to prevent the second rail from displacing from the extended position in an opening direction; wherein, the first release member is used to operate the first working member so that the first working member no longer blocks the first rail. The end of the stop is used to allow the second rail to move from the extended position to the opening direction; wherein, during the process of the second rail moving from the extended position to the opening direction relative to the first rail and being unloaded, the auxiliary member will contact the second predetermined feature of the elastic member to drive the sliding device to a predetermined position in the opening direction; wherein, when the sliding device is in the predetermined position, the position of the second predetermined feature on the elastic member corresponds to the position of the first predetermined feature, causing the elastic member to release a spring force, so that the auxiliary member no longer contacts the second predetermined feature of the elastic member, thereby allowing the second rail to move in the opening direction and be unloaded from the channel of the first rail.

[0008] Overall, as the second rail is removed from an extended position relative to the first rail in an opening direction, it can be used to move the sliding device in the opening direction to a predetermined position. Attached Figure Description

[0009] To further illustrate and demonstrate the above-mentioned objectives, structural features, and effects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 A perspective view of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0011] Figure 2 An exploded view of the slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0012] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the slide rail assembly of an embodiment of the present invention in a retracted state.

[0013] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the slide rail assembly of an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the second rail is locked in an extended position relative to the first rail and is in an extended state.

[0014] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the second rail of the slide rail assembly of an embodiment of the present invention being unlocked relative to the first rail in the extended position.

[0015] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the displacement of the second rail relative to the first rail in an opening direction of the slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the slide rail assembly of an embodiment of the present invention being removed in the opening direction relative to the first rail. Detailed Implementation

[0017] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a slide rail assembly 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24, and preferably, a third rail 26 that can be longitudinally displaced relative to each other. Here, taking the X-axis as the longitudinal direction (or the length direction of the slide rail), the Y-axis as the transverse direction (or the lateral direction of the slide rail), and the Z-axis as the vertical direction (or the height direction of the slide rail) as an example, the first rail 22 (e.g., the middle rail) is movably mounted between the third rail 26 (e.g., the outer rail) and the second rail 24 (e.g., the inner rail). Furthermore, the slide rail assembly 20 also includes a sliding aid device 28, an elastic element 30, and an auxiliary element 32.

[0018] The third track 26 has a predetermined channel 34 for accommodating the first track 22. The first track 22 has a first end 22a and a second end 22b positioned opposite each other, for example, a front end and a rear end, but this is not a limitation in implementation. The first track 22 includes a first wall 36a, a second wall 36b, and a longitudinal wall 38 connecting the first wall 36a and the second wall 36b of the first track 22. The first wall 36a, the second wall 36b, and the longitudinal wall 38 of the first track 22 together define a channel 40 for accommodating the second track 24. The longitudinal wall 38 of the first track 22 is provided with a first predetermined feature 42 and a predetermined structure 44, wherein the first predetermined feature 42 and the predetermined structure 44 are located within the channel 40. Preferably, the first predetermined feature 42 is a space (e.g., an opening) defined by a plurality of walls W; on the other hand, the predetermined structure 44 is a spring foot, but this is not a limitation in implementation. Preferably, the first track 22 is further provided with a stop 45 located within the channel 40. The stop 45 is, for example, a protrusion that laterally protrudes relative to the longitudinal wall 38 of the first track 22, and the stop 45 has a first end 45a and a second end 45b positioned opposite each other. Furthermore, the stop 45 and the predetermined structure 44 are located adjacent to the first end 22a of the first track 22.

[0019] The slip-aiding device 28 is movably mounted between the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. Preferably, the slip-aiding device 28 includes a main body 46 and a plurality of rolling elements 48 (e.g., balls) arranged on the main body 46. These rolling elements 48 are used to contact the first wall 36a of the first rail 22 and the first wall 60a of the second rail 24, and to contact the second wall 36b of the first rail 22 and the second wall 60b of the second rail 24, thereby facilitating the smoothness of the displacement of the second rail 24 relative to the first rail 22.

[0020] The elastic member 30 is arranged to the slip-aiding device 28, and the elastic member 30 includes a second predetermined feature 50. Preferably, the elastic member 30 includes a connecting portion 52 and an elastic portion 54. The connecting portion 52 is connected (e.g., fixed) to the body 46 of the slip-aiding device 28, the elastic portion 54 extends from the connecting portion 52, and the second predetermined feature 50 is arranged to the elastic portion 54. Preferably, the second predetermined feature 50 is, for example, a protrusion that laterally protrudes relative to the elastic portion 54, but this is not a limitation in implementation. Preferably, the body 46 of the slip-aiding device 28 has a predetermined through-hole 56, and the position of the elastic portion 54 of the elastic member 30 corresponds to the predetermined through-hole 56, so that the elastic portion 54 can be used in conjunction with the first predetermined feature 42 of the first rail 22. Preferably, the main body 46 of the sliding device 28 also has a locking feature 58 (e.g., a hook) for use with the predetermined structure 44 on the first rail 22. Preferably, the main body 46 has a first end 46a and a second end 46b positioned opposite each other, such as a front end and a rear end, and the locking feature 58 is located adjacent to the first end 46a of the main body 46.

[0021] The second rail 24 is movably installed into the channel 40 of the first rail 22; alternatively, the second rail 24 can be detached from the channel 40 of the first rail 22. The second rail 24 has a first end 24a and a second end 24b positioned opposite each other, for example, a front end and a rear end, but implementation is not limited thereto. The second rail 24 includes a first wall 60a, a second wall 60b, and a longitudinal wall 62 connecting the first wall 60a and the second wall 60b of the second rail 24.

[0022] The auxiliary component 32 is arranged to the second rail 24. Here, it is exemplified that the auxiliary component 32 is mounted to the longitudinal wall 62 of the second rail 24 via a shaft 64. However, the implementation is not limited to this. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes an elastic feature 66 to provide a predetermined elastic force to the auxiliary component 32, keeping the auxiliary component 32 in a predetermined state. The elastic feature 66 can be a wire with a specific shape to provide elasticity, or it can be a spring, a spring-like component, or other member that provides elastic force. The implementation is not limited to this. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a base 68 arranged to the longitudinal wall 62 of the second rail 24. The base 68 can be used to support the auxiliary component 32 and the elastic feature 66.

[0023] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a first working member 70, a second working member 72, at least one elastic structure 74, a first release member 76, and a second release member 77. The first working member 70 and the second working member 72 are movably mounted to the second rail 24. Here, taking as an example the first working member 70 and the second working member 72 as pivotally connected to the longitudinal wall 62 of the second rail 24 through a first shaft portion 78 and a second shaft portion 80, respectively. On the other hand, the elastic structure 74 is used to provide elastic force to the first working member 70 and the second working member 72, wherein the elastic structure 74 may be a wire with a specific shape to provide elasticity, or the elastic structure 74 may be a spring, a sheet, or other component that can provide elastic force, and the implementation is not limited; the first release member 76 is used to operate the first working member 70, and the second release member 77 is used to operate the second working member 72.

[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, the slide rail assembly 20 is in a retracted state. Furthermore, the second rail 24 is in a retracted position R relative to the first rail 22 and the third rail 26, and the auxiliary member 32 and the second predetermined feature 50 of the elastic member 30 have a longitudinal distance between them.

[0025] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, when the second rail 24 is relative to the first rail 22 from the retracted position R (e.g., Figure 3 As shown, during the process of moving from an opening direction D1 to an extended position E, since the auxiliary member 32 and the second predetermined feature 50 of the elastic member 30 still have a predetermined longitudinal distance K between them, the auxiliary member 32 will not contact the second predetermined feature 50 of the elastic member 30. The extended position E is, for example, a fully extended position, so that the slide rail assembly 20 is in a fully extended state. Furthermore, the elastic part 54 of the elastic member 30, passing through the predetermined through hole 56, can abut against the longitudinal wall 38 of the first rail 22 and is in a first state S1, accumulating a spring force F in the direction of the longitudinal wall 38 of the first rail 22. At this time, the second predetermined feature 50 on the auxiliary member 32 and the elastic part 54 of the elastic member 30 are longitudinally corresponding or aligned (e.g., Figure 4 (As shown).

[0026] Furthermore, when the second rail 24 moves relative to the first rail 22 from the retracted position R to the opening direction D1 to the extended position E, the auxiliary member 32 will not come into contact with the second predetermined feature 50 of the elastic member 30. As a result, the auxiliary member 32 will not forcibly drive the sliding device 28 to move in the opening direction D1, so that the locking feature 58 of the sliding device 28 will not lock onto the predetermined structure 44 on the first rail 22. Accordingly, the smoothness of the second rail 24 moving from the extended position E to the retracted position R in a retracted direction D2, or moving again from the retracted position R to the opening direction D1 to the extended position E, can be ensured. In other words, the frictional travel of the second rail 24 relative to the temporarily immobile sliding device 28 caused by the sliding device 28 locking onto the predetermined structure 44 on the first rail 22, or the generation of unexpected resistance acting on the second rail 24, can be avoided.

[0027] Preferably, when the second rail 24 is in the extended position E relative to the first rail 22, the first working member 70 blocks the first end 45a of the stop 45, and the second working member 72 blocks the second end 45b of the stop 45, so as to prevent the second rail 24 from displacing from the extended position E toward the opening direction D1 or the closing direction D2, in other words, to prevent the second rail 24 from leaving the extended position E.

[0028] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the user can choose to operate the first working piece 70 through the first release member 76, or operate the second release member 77 through the second release member 77, to allow the second rail 24 to move from the extension position E to the opening direction D1, or to allow the second rail 24 to move from the extension position E to the closing direction D2. Furthermore, the user can apply force to the first release member 76 and the second release member 77 respectively to move them, thus operating the first working piece 70 and the second working piece 72 respectively. For example, the first release member 76 and the second release member 77 each have a first driving part 82 and a second driving part 84 to drive the first working piece 70 and the second working piece 72 respectively, causing the first working piece 70 and the second working piece 72 to move from an initial state (such as...). Figure 4 (As shown) Pivoting at an angle so that the first end 45a and the second end 45b of the stop 45 no longer obstruct it, thereby allowing the second rail 24 to move relative to the first rail 22 from the extended position E toward the opening direction D1 or the closing direction D2 (e.g. Figure 5(As shown). At this time, the elastic structure 74 is in a state of accumulating an auxiliary elastic force. Furthermore, if the user stops applying force to operate the first release member 76 and the second release member 77, the first working member 70 and the second working member 72 respond to the elastic structure 74 to release the auxiliary elastic force and return to the initial state.

[0029] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the second rail 24 can be displaced relative to the first rail 22 from the aforementioned extension position E toward the opening direction D1 (e.g., Figure 6 As shown), it is used to unload the second rail 24 from the channel 40 of the first rail 22 (as shown). Figure 7 (As shown).

[0030] Furthermore, during the process of the second rail 24 being displaced and removed relative to the first rail 22 from the aforementioned extension position E in the opening direction D1, the auxiliary member 32 will come into contact with the second predetermined feature 50 on the elastic portion 54 of the elastic member 30 (e.g., Figure 6 As shown), this is used to forcibly move the sliding aid 28 in the opening direction D1 to a predetermined position P (e.g., Figure 7 (As shown).

[0031] Preferably, when the skid-assisting device 28 is in the predetermined position P, the locking feature 58 of the main body 46 of the skid-assisting device 28 is used to engage with a predetermined part of the predetermined structure 44, so that the skid-assisting device 28 can be maintained in the predetermined position P (e.g., Figure 7 (As shown).

[0032] Preferably, when the sliding aid 28 is in the predetermined position P, the position of the second predetermined feature 50 on the elastic portion 54 of the elastic member 30 is laterally (or sideways) corresponding to the position of the first predetermined feature 42 (e.g., an opening) of the first rail 22, causing the elastic portion 54 of the elastic member 30 to release the elastic force F and transition from the first state S1 (e.g., yaw) to a second state S2, so that the auxiliary member 32 no longer contacts the second predetermined feature 50, thereby allowing the second rail 24 to continue to move in the opening direction D1 and be unloaded from the channel 40 of the first rail 22 (e.g., Figure 7 (As shown).

[0033] Therefore, the slide rail assembly 20 provided in this embodiment of the invention has the following characteristics:

[0034] 1. During the process of the second rail 24 moving relative to the first rail 22 from the retracted position R to the opening direction D1 to the extended position E, the auxiliary member 32 will not come into contact with the second predetermined feature 50 of the elastic member 30, so that the auxiliary member 32 will not forcibly drive the sliding device 28 to move in the opening direction D1, and the locking feature 58 of the sliding device 28 will not lock onto the predetermined structure 44 on the first rail 22. Accordingly, the smoothness of the second rail 24 moving from the extended position E to the retracted position R in the retracted direction D2, or moving again from the retracted position R to the opening direction D1 to the extended position E, can be ensured.

[0035] 2. During the process of the second rail 24 being displaced from the extension position E to the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 22, the auxiliary member 32 will come into contact with the second predetermined feature 50 of the elastic member 30 to forcibly drive the sliding device 28 to the predetermined position P where it is locked with the predetermined structure 44 in the opening direction D1. Accordingly, during the process of the second rail 24 being reinserted from outside the channel 40 of the first rail 22 to the closing direction D2 into the channel 40 of the first rail 22, the predetermined section of the second end 24b of the adjacent second rail 24 (e.g., the rear section of the second rail 24) can be supported by the rolling member 48 of the sliding device 28 at the predetermined position P, which helps the second rail 24 to be smoothly inserted into the channel 40 of the first rail 22.

[0036] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention, and various equivalent changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, any changes or modifications to the above embodiments within the scope of the essential spirit of the invention will fall within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A slide rail assembly, comprising a first rail, a second rail, a sliding aid device, and an elastic element, characterized in that: The first track arrangement has a predetermined structure; The second track can be displaced relative to the first track; The sliding aid device is movably installed between the first rail and the second rail; The elastic element is arranged to the slip-aiding device, and the elastic element includes a predetermined feature; and The slide rail assembly also includes an auxiliary component arranged to the second rail; In the process of the second rail being displaced relative to the first rail in an opening direction to an extended position, the auxiliary component will not come into contact with the predetermined features of the elastic component. During the process of the second rail being unloaded from the extension position relative to the first rail in the opening direction, the auxiliary component will come into contact with the predetermined feature of the elastic component to forcibly drive the sliding device in the opening direction to a predetermined position that is locked with the predetermined structure.

2. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first rail is also provided with another predetermined feature; when the sliding device is in the predetermined position, the position of the predetermined feature on the elastic member corresponds to the position of the other predetermined feature, so that the elastic member releases a spring force, so that the auxiliary member no longer contacts the predetermined feature of the elastic member, thereby allowing the second rail to be unloaded in the opening direction.

3. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sliding aid device includes a main body and a plurality of rolling elements arranged on the main body, the rolling elements being used to contact the first rail and the second rail.

4. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The predetermined structure is a spring foot, and the main body is provided with a locking feature, which is used to lock with the predetermined structure.

5. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elastic element includes a connecting portion and an elastic portion. The connecting portion is connected to the body of the gliding device, the elastic portion extends from the connecting portion, and the predetermined feature is arranged to the elastic portion.

6. The slide rail assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The other predetermined feature is a space defined by a plurality of walls; when the sliding aid is in the predetermined position, the position of the predetermined feature on the elastic part of the elastic member corresponds to the position of the other predetermined feature, so that the elastic part of the elastic member releases the elastic force, so that the aid no longer comes into contact with the predetermined feature of the elastic member.

7. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The auxiliary component is pivotally connected to the second rail, and the rail assembly further includes an elastic feature for providing a predetermined elastic force to the auxiliary component.

8. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first rail is also provided with a stop, and the slide rail assembly also includes a first working member and a second working member movably mounted to the second rail; when the second rail is in the extended position relative to the first rail, the first working member and the second working member are respectively blocked at both ends of the stop to prevent the second rail from leaving the extended position.

9. The slide rail assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first working piece and the second working piece are respectively pivotally connected to the second rail, and the rail assembly further includes at least one elastic structure for providing elastic force to the first working piece and the second working piece.

10. The slide rail assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that, The slide rail assembly further includes a first release member for operating the first working member so that the first working member is no longer obstructed by the stop, thereby allowing the second rail to move from the extended position toward the opening direction.

11. A slide rail assembly, comprising a first rail, a second rail, a sliding aid device, an elastic element, a first working element, and a first release element, characterized in that: The first track includes a channel and a first predetermined feature and a stop located within the channel; The second track can be displaced relative to the first track; The sliding aid device is movably installed between the first rail and the second rail; The elastic element is arranged to the sliding aid device, and the elastic element includes a second predetermined feature; The first working piece is movably installed onto the second rail; The first release element; as well as The slide rail assembly also includes an auxiliary component arranged to the second rail; When the second rail is in an extended position relative to the first rail, the first working member blocks one end of the stop to prevent the second rail from displacing from the extended position in an opening direction. The first release member is used to operate the first working member so that the first working member is no longer blocked at the end of the stop, thereby allowing the second rail to move from the extended position to the opening direction. During the process of the second rail being displaced from the extension position to the opening direction relative to the first rail and being unloaded, the auxiliary component will come into contact with the second predetermined feature of the elastic component to drive the sliding device to a predetermined position in the opening direction. When the sliding device is in the predetermined position, the position of the second predetermined feature on the elastic member corresponds to the position of the first predetermined feature, causing the elastic member to release a spring force, so that the auxiliary member no longer contacts the second predetermined feature of the elastic member, thereby allowing the second rail to move in the opening direction and be unloaded from the channel of the first rail.

12. The slide rail assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, The sliding aid device includes a main body and a plurality of rolling elements arranged on the main body, the rolling elements being used to contact the first rail and the second rail.

13. The slide rail assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that, The elastic element includes a connecting portion and an elastic portion. The connecting portion is connected to the body of the gliding device, the elastic portion extends from the connecting portion, and the second predetermined feature is arranged to the elastic portion.

14. The slide rail assembly according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first predetermined feature is a space defined by a plurality of walls; when the sliding aid is in the predetermined position, the position of the second predetermined feature on the elastic part of the elastic member corresponds to the position of the first predetermined feature, so that the elastic part of the elastic member releases the elastic force, so that the aid no longer comes into contact with the second predetermined feature of the elastic member.

15. The slide rail assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first rail has a first end and a second end that are positioned opposite each other; the stop is located at the first end adjacent to the first rail.

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