Slide rail assembly

Abstract

To provide a slide rail assembly having an auxiliary member configured to non-synchronize a movement between two slide rails.SOLUTION: A slide rail assembly includes: a first rail; a second rail; a synchronization member; an auxiliary member; and a third rail. The synchronization member is attached to the second rail in a movable manner. The third rail includes an acting mechanism. In a process of the third rail moving in an opening direction, the third rail is configured to drive and move the second rail in synchronization by having the acting mechanism into contact with the synchronization member. In a process where the third rail and the second rail moving in the opening direction in synchronization, the block mechanism is configured to move the auxiliary member with respect to the second rail by being in contact with the auxiliary member. This drives the synchronization member not to come into contact with the acting mechanism, which brings the movement between the third rail and the second rail into non-synchronization.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly having a support member configured to desynchronize movement between two slide rails. [Background technology]

[0002] U.S. Patent No. 7,357,468 discloses a slide assembly including an outer rail, a middle rail, and an inner rail. The middle rail is movably mounted between the outer rail and the inner rail. The outer rail, middle rail, and inner rail are longitudinally movable relative to one another. A connecting member, a positioning member, and an elastic member are disposed on the middle rail. The connecting member and the positioning member are pivotally connected to the middle rail. A first protruding wall including a block portion and a sloped portion is disposed on the inner rail. A second protruding wall including a retaining portion and a sloped portion is disposed on the outer rail. The connecting member includes a restraining end and a release end. The positioning member includes a release end and a fixed end. The elastic member is configured to provide an elastic force for holding the free end of the connecting member against the fixed end of the positioning member. The restraining end of the connecting member corresponds to the block portion of the first protruding wall of the inner rail, and the free end of the connecting member corresponds to the sloped portion of the second protruding wall. The fixed end of the positioning member corresponds to the retaining portion of the second protruding wall of the outer rail, and the free end of the positioning member corresponds to the inclined portion of the first protruding wall. When the slide assembly is fully retracted, the restraining end of the connecting member abuts against the blocking portion of the first protruding wall, and the free end of the positioning member is lifted by the first protruding wall. When the inner rail is extended, the blocking portion of the first protruding wall and the restraining end of the connecting member simultaneously extend the middle rail. After the inner rail moves into position, the free end of the connecting member is lifted by the inclined portion of the second protruding wall, disengaging the restraining end of the connecting member from the blocking portion of the first protruding wall, thereby desynchronizing the movement between the middle rail and the inner rail. As the inner rail is further extended, the first protruding wall moves away from the free end of the positioning member, causing the fixed end of the positioning member to be pressed by the second elastic leg of the elastic member and fastened to the retaining portion of the second protruding wall. As the inner rail continues to be extended, the fixed end of the positioning member abuts the retaining portion of the second protruding wall, thereby positioning the intermediate rail relative to the outer rail and allowing the inner rail to be further extended to its fully extended position.

[0003] The slide assembly described above can desynchronize the movement between the intermediate rail and the inner rail by lifting the free end of the connecting member of the intermediate rail with the inclined portion of the second protruding wall, thereby removing the restraining end of the connecting member from the blocking portion of the first protruding wall. However, if an unexpected gap exists between the intermediate rail and the inner rail due to installation tolerances, the slide assembly may not be able to desynchronize the movement between the intermediate rail and the inner rail. Therefore, it is important to develop various slide rail products to meet different market needs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,357,468 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a slide rail assembly having a support member configured to desynchronize movement between two slide rails.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a synchronizing member, an engaging member, an auxiliary member, and a third rail. A predetermined mechanism and a blocking mechanism are disposed on the first rail. The second rail is longitudinally movable relative to the first rail. The synchronizing member, the engaging member, and the auxiliary member are movably attached to the second rail. The third rail is longitudinally movable relative to the second rail and is disposed with an acting mechanism. During the process of the third rail moving along the opening direction, the acting mechanism drives the second rail to move synchronously with the third rail by abutting the synchronizing member in a first state. During the process of the third rail and the second rail moving synchronously along the opening direction, the blocking mechanism abuts the auxiliary member to move the auxiliary member from a first auxiliary position relative to the second rail and drive the synchronizing member to switch from the first state to the second state, thereby causing the acting mechanism of the third rail to no longer abut the synchronizing member, and desynchronizing the movements between the third rail and the second rail. When the second rail is in the extended position relative to the first rail, the engagement member is configured to engage with a predetermined mechanism to prevent the second rail from moving along the retracted direction from the extended position.

[0007] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a synchronizing member, an auxiliary member, and a third rail. A blocking mechanism is disposed on the first rail. The second rail is longitudinally movable relative to the first rail. The synchronizing member is movably attached to the second rail. The auxiliary member is movable relative to the second rail between a first auxiliary position and a second auxiliary position. The third rail is longitudinally movable relative to the second rail and is disposed with an acting mechanism. During the course of movement of the third rail along the opening direction, the acting mechanism of the third rail is configured to drive the second rail to move synchronously by abutting against the synchronizing member. During the course of synchronous movement of the third rail and the second rail along the opening direction, the blocking mechanism is configured to abut against the auxiliary member to linearly move the auxiliary member relative to the second rail from the first auxiliary position to the second auxiliary position, thereby driving and moving the synchronizing member, whereby the acting mechanism of the third rail no longer abuts against the synchronizing member, and movement between the third rail and the second rail is desynchronized.

[0008] These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1A-1C illustrate a slide rail assembly including a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a partial exploded view of a second rail according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] 10A-10C illustrate a support member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial schematic view of a second rail, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a partial schematic view of a second rail from another viewing angle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B illustrate a slide rail assembly in a retracted state according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. [Figure 8] 10A-10C illustrate how the second and third rails are moved synchronously relative to the first rail, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10A-10C illustrate how the second and third rails are further moved synchronously relative to the first rail in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 10A-10C illustrate a support member configured to desynchronize movement between the third rail and the second rail, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates a slide rail assembly in an extended state, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of an area A in FIG. [Figure 14] 10A-10C illustrate a larger gap that exists between the first and second rails due to mounting tolerances, according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1 and 2, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24, and a third rail 26 that are longitudinally movable relative to one another. In the drawings, the X axis is the longitudinal direction (or the length or movement direction of the slide rail), the Y axis is the transverse direction (or the lateral direction of the slide rail), and the Z axis is the vertical direction (or the height direction of the slide rail). Preferably, the second rail 24 (e.g., a middle rail) is movably mounted between the first rail 22 (e.g., an outer rail) and the third rail 26 (e.g., an inner rail).

[0011] A predetermined mechanism 28 and a blocking mechanism 30 are disposed on the first rail 22. The first rail 22 further includes a first wall 32a, a second wall 32b, and a longitudinal wall 34 connected between the first wall 32a and the second wall 32b of the first rail 22. A first passage 36 is defined by the first wall 32a, the second wall 32b, and the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22 and is configured to accommodate the second rail 24. Preferably, the predetermined mechanism 28 and the blocking mechanism 30 are disposed on the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22. In this embodiment, a predetermined part 38 is disposed on the first rail 22 and connected to the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22, and the predetermined part 38 includes the predetermined mechanism 28. Preferably, the blocking mechanism 30 is a protrusion. In this embodiment, the blocking mechanism 30 is a protruding wall extending along the transverse direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0012] The second rail 24 includes a first wall 40a, a second wall 40b, and a longitudinal wall 42 connected between the first wall 40a and the second wall 40b of the second rail 24. A second passage 44 is defined by the first wall 40a, the second wall 40b, and the longitudinal wall 42 of the second rail 24 and is configured to accommodate the third rail 26.

[0013] The third rail 26 includes a first wall 46a, a second wall 46b, and a longitudinal wall 48 connected between the first wall 46a and the second wall 46b of the third rail 26. The third rail 26 has an action mechanism 45 disposed on the longitudinal wall 48 of the third rail 26. The action mechanism 45 may be a hole or a groove defined by a plurality of inner walls of the third rail 26, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0014] Preferably, a first slide assist device 47 is disposed between the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. The first slide assist device 47 includes a plurality of balls configured to improve the smoothness of movement of the second rail 24 relative to the first rail 22. A second slide assist device 49 is disposed between the second rail 24 and the third rail 26. The second slide assist device 49 includes a plurality of balls configured to improve the smoothness of movement of the third rail 26 relative to the second rail 24.

[0015] 3 to 5, slide rail assembly 20 further includes a synchronizing member 50, an engaging member 52, and an auxiliary member 54 disposed on second rail 24. Preferably, slide rail assembly 20 further includes an elastic structure 56.

[0016] The second rail 24 has a first end 24a, such as a front end and a rear end, and a second end 24b. Furthermore, the second rail 24 has a first side L1 and a second side L2 that are opposite each other, such as an outer side and an inner side. The first side L1 is adjacent to (or faces) the first rail 22, and the second side L2 is adjacent to (or faces) the third rail 26.

[0017] Preferably, at least one through hole is formed in the longitudinal wall 42 of the second rail 24. In this embodiment, the longitudinal wall 42 of the second rail 24 is formed with a first through hole H1 and a second through hole H2 that communicate between the first side L1 and the second side L2 of the second rail 24.

[0018] Preferably, the synchronization member 50, the engagement member 52, and the auxiliary member 54 are movably attached to the second rail 24. The synchronization member 50 and the engagement member 52 are located at different height positions along the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the second rail 24. The synchronization member 50 and the latch member 52 are pivotally connected to the second rail 24 via a shaft member 58, and the synchronization member 50 and the latch member 52 are received in the first through-hole H1 and the second through-hole H2, respectively. The arrangement direction of the shaft member 58 is substantially the same as the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the second rail 24.

[0019] Preferably, the synchronization member 50 , the engagement member 52 and the back-up member 54 are adjacent to the second end 24 b of the second rail 24 .

[0020] The synchronizing member 50 includes a first portion 50a, a second portion 50b, and an intermediate portion 50c located between the first portion 50a and the second portion 50b. Meanwhile, the engaging member 52 includes a first section 52a, a second section 52b, and an intermediate section 52c located between the first section 52a and the second section 52b. Preferably, the shaft member 58 passes through the intermediate portion 50c of the synchronizing member 50 and the intermediate section 52c of the engaging member 52 to pivotally connect the synchronizing member 50 and the engaging member 52 to the longitudinal wall 42 of the second rail 24.

[0021] The elastic structure 56 is configured to provide an elastic force to at least one of the synchronizing member 50 and the engaging member 52. In this embodiment, the elastic structure 56 is an elastic piece including a first elastic arm 56a and a second elastic arm 56b configured to provide an elastic force to the synchronizing member 50 and the engaging member 52, respectively, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the first elastic arm 56a and the second elastic arm 56b abut against the second portion 50b of the synchronizing member 50 and the second section 52b of the engaging member 52, respectively.

[0022] The auxiliary member 54 is linearly movable relative to the second rail 24. In this embodiment, the auxiliary member 54 is linearly movable relative to the second rail 24 along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction). Preferably, a first limiting mechanism 60 (at least one first limiting mechanism 60) and a second limiting mechanism 62 (at least one first limiting mechanism 60) configured to interact with each other are disposed on the auxiliary member 54 and the second rail 24 (longitudinal wall 42 of the second rail 24), respectively. For example, the first limiting mechanism 60 can be a slot elongated in the longitudinal direction, and the second limiting mechanism 62 can be a protruding part (such as a pin or a bolt) that passes through the slot elongated in the longitudinal direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0023] Preferably, slide rail assembly 20 further includes an elastic member 64 configured to provide an elastic force to auxiliary member 54. Elastic member 64 is connected between second rail 24 and auxiliary member 54. In the present invention, elastic member 64 is integrated with auxiliary member 54, but the present invention is not limited thereto. One end 64 of elastic member 64 is connected to longitudinal wall 42 of second rail 24.

[0024] Preferably, the auxiliary member 54 has a first end 54a and a second end 54b that are opposite each other. The first end 54a and the elastic member 64 are connected to each other. The auxiliary member 54 has an auxiliary portion 66 disposed adjacent to the first end 54a. The auxiliary portion 66 may be a protruding wall extending along the transverse direction. The auxiliary member 54 has a guide portion 68 disposed adjacent to the second end 54b. The guide portion 68 may have an inclined surface or an arcuate surface, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The auxiliary portion 66 is configured to interact with the blocking mechanism 30 on the first rail 22, and the guide portion 68 is configured to interact with the second portion 50b of the synchronization member 50.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the slide rail assembly 20 is in a retracted state, with the second rail 24 and the third rail 26 positioned at a retracted position R relative to the first rail 22. The engaging member 52 is spaced a first longitudinal distance from the predetermined component 38 (the predetermined mechanism 28 of the predetermined component 38) along the longitudinal direction (the X-axis direction). The auxiliary member 54 is spaced a second longitudinal distance from the blocking mechanism 30 along the longitudinal direction. In FIGS. 6 and 7 , the auxiliary member 54 is positioned at a first auxiliary position M1 relative to the second rail 24. Additionally, the first resilient arm 56a is configured to abut against the second portion 50b of the synchronizing member 50 to apply a resilient force, and the second resilient arm 56b is configured to abut against the second section 52b of the engaging member 52 to apply a resilient force. Meanwhile, both the first portion 50a of the synchronizing member 50 and the first section 52a of the engaging member 52 abut against the longitudinal wall 48 of the third rail 26. A hook 70 is disposed on the second section 52b of the engagement member 52.

[0026] As shown in Figure 8, as the third rail 26 moves from the storage position R along the opening direction D1, the third rail 26 is configured to drive the second rail 24 to move synchronously with the first rail 22 along the opening direction D1 by the action mechanism 45 abutting against the synchronizing member 50 in the first state S1.

[0027] Specifically, during the process of third rail 26 moving along opening direction D1, action mechanism 45 of third rail 26 corresponds to extension section 72 of first portion 50a of synchronizing member 50. Meanwhile, synchronizing member 50 is configured to be held in first state S1 in response to the elastic force of first elastic arm 56a. At the same time, extension section 72 and action mechanism 45 of third rail 26 are configured to come into contact with (or abut) each other, whereby third rail 26 is configured to drive second rail 24 to move synchronously along opening direction D1.

[0028] 9-11 , when the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 synchronously move to a predetermined position along the opening direction D1, the blocking mechanism 30 and the auxiliary portion 66 of the auxiliary member 54 are configured to abut against each other, such that the blocking mechanism 30 provides an acting force F to move the auxiliary portion 66 of the auxiliary member 54. For example, the blocking mechanism 30 is configured to block the auxiliary portion 66 of the auxiliary member 54, such that the auxiliary portion 54 moves longitudinally relative to the second rail 24 from a first auxiliary position M1 (shown in FIG. 10 ) to a second auxiliary position M2 (shown in FIG. 11 ) in response to the acting force F. Therefore, the guide portion 68 of the auxiliary member 54 is configured to abut against the second portion 50b of the synchronizing member 50 to overcome the elastic force of the first elastic arm 56a, driving the synchronizing member 50 to move (rotate) and switch from the first state S1 to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 11), whereby the action mechanism 45 of the third rail 26 no longer abuts against the extension section 72 of the synchronizing member 50, and the movement between the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 is desynchronized.

[0029] 12 and 13 , when the auxiliary member 54 is in the second auxiliary position M2 relative to the second rail 24, the blocking mechanism 30 and the auxiliary portion 66 of the auxiliary member 54 are configured to block each other, thereby blocking the second rail 24 so that it stops at the extended position E relative to the first rail 22. Therefore, the second rail 24 is in the extended position E relative to the first rail 22. Furthermore, the third rail 26 can move further along the opening direction D1 relative to the second rail 24 in the extended position E, causing the first section 52a of the engaging member 52 to no longer abut against the longitudinal wall 48 of the third rail 26. As a result, the second section 52b of the engaging member 52 moves in response to the elastic force of the second elastic arm 56b, thereby engaging the hook 70 of the engaging member 52 with the predetermined mechanism 28 and preventing the second rail 24 from moving in the retracted direction D2 from the extended position E relative to the first rail 22. In this manner, the slide rail assembly 20 is in the extended state.

[0030] Additionally, the third rail 26 has a first end 26a and a second end 26b, such as a front end and a rear end. As the third rail 26 is moved from the predetermined extended position K back to the storage position R along the storage direction D2, a portion of the third rail 26 (such as the second end 26b) is configured to abut the first section 52a of the engagement member 52, driving the hook 70 of the engagement member 52 to disengage from the predetermined mechanism 28, thereby allowing the second rail 24 to move from the extended position E along the storage direction D2 relative to the first rail 22.

[0031] In addition, as shown in Figures 10 and 14, a transverse gap exists between the second rail 24 and the first rail 22. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the second rail 24 (longitudinal wall 42 of the second rail 24) and the first rail 22 (longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22) are ideally spaced apart from each other by a first transverse distance T1. Due to installation tolerances and some unforeseen factors, the first transverse distance T1 between the second rail 24 (longitudinal wall 42 of the second rail 24) and the first rail 22 (longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22) may increase to a second transverse distance T2, as shown in Figure 14. However, because the auxiliary portion 66 of the auxiliary member 54 on the second rail 24 and the blocking mechanism 30 on the first rail 22 are both protruding walls extending along the transverse direction, even if the second rail 24 (the longitudinal wall 42 of the second rail 24) and the first rail 22 (the longitudinal wall 34 of the first rail 22) are spaced apart by the second transverse distance T2 during the process in which the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 move synchronously relative to the first rail 22 in the opening direction D1, the reliability of the interaction between the blocking mechanism 30 on the first rail 22 and the auxiliary portion 66 of the auxiliary member 54 on the second rail 24 is not easily affected. The blocking mechanism 30 still provides the acting force F to move the auxiliary member 54 and further drive the synchronizing member 50 to switch from the first state S1 to the second state S2, thereby ensuring that the synchronizing mechanism between the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 is disabled. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 11 and the associated description, and for the sake of simplicity no further illustration is provided.

[0032] Accordingly, the slide rail assembly 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following technical features: during the course of synchronous movement of the third rail 26 (e.g., inner rail) and the second rail 24 (e.g., middle rail) relative to the first rail 22 (e.g., outer rail) along the opening direction D1, the blocking mechanism 30 of the first rail 22 is configured to abut against the auxiliary portion 66 of the auxiliary member 54, causing the auxiliary member 54 on the second rail 24 to move, and further driving the synchronizing member 50 on the second rail 24 to switch from the first state S1 to the second state S2, thereby ensuring that the action mechanism 45 of the third rail 26 no longer abuts against the extension section 72 of the synchronizing member 50, and the synchronizing mechanism between the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 is disabled. Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and variations of the apparatus and method can be made while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the boundaries of the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A slide rail assembly comprising: a first rail on which a predetermined mechanism and a blocking mechanism are disposed; a second rail that is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the first rail; a synchronizing member, an engaging member, and an auxiliary member movably attached to the second rail; a third rail that is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the second rail and has an operating mechanism disposed thereon; Equipped with During the process of the third rail moving in the opening direction, the third rail drives the second rail to move synchronously with the second rail by the action mechanism abutting against the synchronizing member in the first state, During the process of the third rail and the second rail synchronously moving along the opening direction, the blocking mechanism abuts against the auxiliary member to move the auxiliary member from a first auxiliary position to a second auxiliary position relative to the second rail, and drives the synchronizing member to switch from the first state to the second state, whereby the operating mechanism of the third rail no longer abuts against the synchronizing member, and the movements between the third rail and the second rail are desynchronized; When the second rail is in an extended position relative to the first rail, the engagement member is configured to engage with the predetermined mechanism to prevent the second rail from moving from the extended position along a storage direction. Slide rail assembly.

2. 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the second rail is movably mounted between the first rail and the third rail, the auxiliary member is longitudinally movable relative to the second rail, and the auxiliary member and the second rail have first and second limiting mechanisms, respectively, configured to interact with each other.

3. The slide rail assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a resilient member configured to provide a resilient force to the auxiliary member, the resilient member being connected between the second rail and the auxiliary member.

4. 3. The slide rail assembly of claim 2, wherein the synchronizing member and the engaging member are pivotally connected to the second rail via an axial member, the axial member being arranged in a direction substantially identical to a height direction of the second rail, and the slide rail assembly further includes an elastic structure configured to provide an elastic force to at least one of the synchronizing member and the engaging member.

5. The slide rail assembly of claim 1 , wherein the blocking mechanism is a protrusion.

6. 1. A slide rail assembly comprising: a first rail on which a blocking mechanism is disposed; a second rail that is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the first rail; a synchronizing member movably attached to the second rail; an auxiliary member movable relative to the second rail between a first auxiliary position and a second auxiliary position; a third rail that is movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the second rail and has an operating mechanism disposed thereon; Equipped with During the process of the third rail moving in the opening direction, the operating mechanism abuts against the synchronizing member, thereby driving the second rail to move synchronously with the third rail, During the process of the third rail and the second rail synchronously moving along the opening direction, the blocking mechanism is configured to abut against the auxiliary member to linearly move the auxiliary member relative to the second rail from the first auxiliary position to the second auxiliary position, and to drive and move the synchronizing member, whereby the operating mechanism of the third rail no longer abuts against the synchronizing member, and the movements between the third rail and the second rail are desynchronized. Slide rail assembly.

7. 7. The slide rail assembly of claim 6, wherein the second rail is movably mounted between the first rail and the third rail, the auxiliary member is movably mounted on the second rail, and the auxiliary member and the second rail have first and second limiting mechanisms, respectively, configured to interact with each other.

8. 8. The slide rail assembly of claim 7, further comprising a resilient member configured to provide a resilient force to the auxiliary member, the resilient member being connected between the second rail and the auxiliary member.

9. 8. The slide rail assembly of claim 7, wherein the synchronizing member is pivotally connected to the second rail via an axial member, the axial member being arranged in a direction substantially identical to a height direction of the second rail, and the slide rail assembly further includes an elastic structure configured to provide an elastic force to the synchronizing member.

10. The slide rail assembly of claim 6 , wherein the blocking mechanism is a protrusion.

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