Slide rail device with synchronous stop mechanism

Abstract

A slide rail device with a synchronous stop mechanism is suitable for being arranged in a server cabinet in which a plurality of the slide rail devices are arranged. The slide rail device is connected with a linkage member. Each slide rail device includes an outer frame, an outer rail, a middle rail, and a synchronous stop mechanism. The outer rail includes a movable slot. The middle rail includes a middle outer surface facing the outer rail. The synchronous stop mechanism includes a stop member movably passing through the movable slot and fixedly connected with the linkage member, a stop block arranged on the middle outer surface, a linkage plate, and an elastic member arranged on a mounting surface and connected with the linkage plate. Each stop block has a stop protrusion. The stop protrusions jointly define a stop slot extending obliquely for the stop member to movably extend into. When the middle rail moves relative to the outer rail, the stop member is pushed by the stop block to move downward along the stop slot, thereby driving the linkage member to move downward and simultaneously driving the stop member of another slide rail device to move downward to the side of the stop protrusion to stop the middle rail of the other slide rail device from moving relative to the outer rail.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] A typical server rack can accommodate multiple server chassis, which are mounted in the rack using multiple sliding rails. Each rail has an outer rail fixed to the rack, a middle rail movable to the outer rail, and an inner rail movable to the middle rail. The server chassis is mounted on the inner rail. When maintenance or replacement is needed, the server chassis can be pulled out of the rack using the extension / retraction function of the rails. However, existing sliding rail systems lack a mechanism to prevent unintended server chassis from being pulled out of the same rack on their own, thus leaving room for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this 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] The slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism of the present invention is suitable for installation in a server rack. The server rack accommodates multiple slide rail devices. Each slide rail device is connected to a linkage. Each slide rail device includes an outer frame, suitable for fixing to the server rack, and includes a movable surface, a mounting surface opposite to the movable surface and facing the server rack, an outer through-groove connecting 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, including a first outer surface, a second outer surface opposite to the first outer surface and facing the movable surface, and a movable groove corresponding to the outer through-groove; a middle rail, movably disposed on the outer rail, 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 to the linkage, and two spaced-apart stops on the middle and outer rails. The mounting surface includes a stop block, a connecting piece partially fitted onto the stop member, and an elastic member extending horizontally on the mounting surface and connected to the connecting piece. Each stop block has a stop protrusion, which together define a stop groove extending downwards toward the second end into which the stop member can movably extend. The connecting piece has a through groove through which the stop member passes and a protrusion protruding toward the second end from the through groove 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 downwards along the stop groove, thereby causing the connecting piece to move downwards. At the same time, it causes the stop members of the other slide rail devices to move downwards to the side of the stop protrusion, so as to stop the middle rail of the other slide rail devices from moving relative to the outer rail. The elastic restoring force of the elastic member can cause the connecting piece to abut against the stop member, preventing the stop member from moving upwards.

[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 also includes a fixing member disposed on the mounting surface, the fixing member having a second hook connecting to the other end of the elastic member.

[0007] In some embodiments, the stop includes a movable portion that movably passes through the outer through slot and the movable slot, 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 also includes a groove formed in the joint, and the linkage engages in the groove and is 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 the other slide rail devices to move downward to the side of the stop protrusion, so as to stop the middle rail of the other slide rail devices from moving relative to the outer rail, thereby preventing the other slide rail devices from being pulled out. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 This is a rear view of two of the described embodiments connected by a linkage;

[0013] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of this embodiment;

[0014] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of an outer frame and a synchronous stopping mechanism of this embodiment;

[0015] Figure 5 This is a rear view of a middle rail in this embodiment;

[0016] Figure 6 It is by Figure 1 A partial sectional view obtained from section line VI-VI, in which the middle rail and an inner rail are omitted;

[0017] Figure 7 This is an incomplete rear view of the middle rail in this embodiment, illustrating that a movable part of a stop member of the synchronous stop mechanism is in an initial position and has not yet abutted the stop block;

[0018] Figure 8 This is a rear view of the outer frame of this embodiment, illustrating the moving part of the synchronous stopping mechanism in its initial position;

[0019] Figure 9 This is an incomplete rear view of the middle rail in this embodiment, illustrating that the movable part of the synchronous stop mechanism moves downward along the stop groove;

[0020] Figure 10 This is a rear view of the outer frame of this embodiment, illustrating the downward movement of the movable part of the synchronous stop mechanism;

[0021] Figure 11 This is an incomplete rear view of the middle rail in this embodiment, illustrating that the movable part of the synchronous stop mechanism of the additional slide rail device with a synchronous stop mechanism is stopped by a stop protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0022] This section will describe in detail specific embodiments of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. The purpose of the drawings is to supplement the textual description with graphics, so that people can intuitively and vividly understand each technical feature and overall technical solution of the present invention, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] In the description of this 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 accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0024] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "more than" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0025] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" 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.

[0026] See Figures 1 to 3This invention discloses an embodiment of a slide rail device 10 with a synchronous stopping mechanism, suitable for installation in a server rack (not shown). The server rack accommodates multiple slide rail devices 10. Each slide rail device 10 is connected to a linkage 6, which 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, and the connecting pieces 62 are adapted to engage 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.

[0027] 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 is movably disposed on the middle rail 3 and is adapted to connect a server chassis (not shown).

[0028] See 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 adapted to fix 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 adapted to extend 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 block 52 has a stop protrusion 521, which together define a stop groove 53 that extends downward toward the second end 15 and into which the stop member 51 can movably extend.

[0029] The elastic element 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 element 54 (see...). Figure 8 The fastener 56 has a second hook 561 that connects to the other end of the elastic member 54.

[0030] See Figures 7 to 10 In an initial position, the movable part 511 of the stop 51 is located above one of the stops 52, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown. When a user wants to remove a server chassis (not shown) from the server rack (not shown), they will pull the inner rail, which will then move the middle rail 3 relative to the outer rail 2 toward the first end 14. At this time, the movable part 511 of the stop member 51 is pushed by the stop 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 move continuously toward the fixing member 56, so that the protrusion 552 abuts against the stop member 51, preventing the stop member 51 from moving upward. Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, by fixing the connecting member 6 to the joint portion 513 of the stop member 51, the connecting member 6 can be driven to move downward, thereby simultaneously driving the stop members 51 of the other slide rail devices 10 to move downward to the side of the stop protrusion 521, as shown. Figure 11 As shown, 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 movable part 511, thus preventing the other slide rail devices 10 from being pulled out. Meanwhile, the middle rail 3 of the slide rail device 10 corresponding to the pulled-out server rack, during its continuous movement relative to the outer rail 2, is continuously blocked by the movable part 511 due to the protrusion 552, ensuring that the linkage 6 is continuously moving downwards. This further ensures that 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 movable part 511. Once the pulled-out server chassis returns to the server rack, the elastic restoring force of the elastic element 54 can drive the linkage piece 55 and the stop member 51 to reset and move upward. When the movable part 511 of the stop member 51 returns to the initial position, it will drive the linkage 6 to move upward, so that the movable parts 511 of the other slide rail devices 10 also return to the initial position, thus releasing the blocking relationship with the stop protrusion 521 and ensuring that only one server chassis can be pulled out.

[0031] In summary, the slide rail device 10 with the synchronous stopping mechanism 5 of the present invention, when the middle rail 3 moves toward the first end 14 relative to the outer rail 2, the stopping member 51 is pushed by the stop block 52 and moves downward along the stopping groove 53, thereby driving the linkage member 6 to move downward, and at the same time driving the stopping members 51 of the 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 the other slide rail devices 10 from moving relative to the outer rail 2, thereby preventing the other slide rail devices 10 from being pulled out. Therefore, the purpose of the present invention can indeed be achieved.

[0032] The above description is merely 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 claims and description of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism, suitable for installation in a server rack, wherein the server rack accommodates multiple slide rail devices, the slide rail device being connected to a linkage, characterized in that: Each of these slide rail devices includes: An outer frame is suitable for being fixed to the server rack and includes a movable surface, a mounting surface opposite to the movable surface and facing the server rack, an external through-hole connecting the movable surface and the mounting surface, a first end, and a second end opposite to the first end. An outer rail is disposed on the movable surface and includes 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 outer through groove. The middle rail is movably disposed on the outer rail and includes a middle outer surface facing the outer rail; and The synchronous stopping mechanism includes a stop member that can movably pass through the outer through slot and the movable slot and is suitable for fixing the linkage member, two stops spaced apart on the outer side of the middle, a linkage piece partially sleeved on the stop member, and an elastic member that extends horizontally on the mounting surface and connects to the linkage piece. Each stop block has a stopping protrusion, and the stopping protrusions together define a stopping groove that extends downward toward the second end for the stop member to movably extend into. The linkage piece has a through slot for the stop member to pass through and a protrusion located in the through slot that protrudes toward the second end and abuts 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 the other slide rail devices to move downward to the side of the stop protrusion, so as to stop the middle rail of the 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 according to claim 1, characterized in that: The linkage also has a first hook that connects to one end of the elastic element.

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

4. The slide rail device with a synchronous stopping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stop includes a movable part that can move 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 according to claim 4, characterized in that: 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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