Slide rail assembly
The slide rail assembly addresses the issue of rapid rail movement by using a blocking feature and frictional interaction between rails to slow down and synchronize movements, enhancing safety and protection against impacts.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025014431
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-06-19
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2045-01-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing slide rail mechanisms lack effective means to prevent or slow down the rapid movement of one rail relative to another, leading to potential impacts and safety hazards.
A slide rail assembly featuring a first rail with a blocking feature, a second rail, a third rail movably mounted between the first and second rails, and an auxiliary member with predetermined features that interact to provide resistance and slow down the movement of the second rail relative to the third rail through friction and elastic forces.
The assembly effectively slows down rapid movements, preventing impacts and enhancing safety by providing a temporary buffering mechanism that synchronizes the rails' movement, thereby improving safety and protection.
Smart Images
Figure 2026001679000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail mechanism, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly that can provide resistance to stop or slow down the movement of a rail that moves in a predetermined direction relative to another rail. [Background technology]
[0002] Chinese Utility Model Publication No. CN219331097U discloses a ball slide rail with a shock-absorbing recoil mechanism. It includes an outer slide rail, an inner slide rail, and an intermediate slide rail disposed between the outer and inner slide rails. Limiter mechanisms are provided between the outer and intermediate slide rails and between the inner and intermediate slide rails. This utility model document is characterized by the presence of a first blocking mechanism with a shock-absorbing recoil function disposed between the outer and intermediate slide rails, and a second blocking mechanism with a shock-absorbing recoil function disposed between the inner and intermediate slide rails. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The present invention provides a slide rail assembly that can provide resistance to stop or slow the movement of one rail moving in a predetermined direction relative to another rail.
[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes: a first rail configured with a blocking feature; The second rail and a third rail movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail; an auxiliary member movably attached to the third rail, the auxiliary member being movable between a first state and a second state; the second rail is configured with a first predetermined feature and the third rail is configured with a second predetermined feature; when the third rail is in a predetermined position relative to the first rail and the backing member is in the first state, the blocking feature is configured to block the backing member to prevent the third rail from being moved in the predetermined direction from the predetermined position; During the process of moving the second rail a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction relative to the third rail in a predetermined position, the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to contact each other to slow down the movement of the second rail in the predetermined direction relative to the third rail.
[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes: a first rail configured with a blocking feature; The second rail and a third rail movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail; an auxiliary member movably attached to the third rail; the second rail is configured with a first predetermined feature and the third rail is configured with a second predetermined feature; the blocking feature is configured to block the auxiliary member when the third rail is in a retracted position relative to the first rail and the auxiliary member is in the first state; During the process of moving the second rail a predetermined distance in an opening direction relative to the third rail in the retracted position, the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to come into contact with each other to provide resistance to the second rail.
[0006] These and other objects 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]
[0007] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]1 is an exploded view of a slide rail assembly including a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a view showing the slide rail assembly in a retracted state according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the second rail has been moved in a predetermined direction relative to the first rail and the third rail in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the second rail has been further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the first rail and the third rail in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the second rail has been further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the first rail and the third rail in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing a state in which an article to be transported is attached to a rack via a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24, a third rail 26, and a support member 28. The first rail 22, the second rail 24, and the third rail 26 are longitudinally movable relative to one another. In the figures, the X axis is the longitudinal direction (or the length direction or the direction of movement 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 slide rail assembly 20 further includes a first bracket 30 (e.g., a front bracket) and a second bracket 32 (e.g., a rear bracket) attached to the rear side of the first rail 22. The first bracket 30 and the second bracket 32 are longitudinally adjustable and movable relative to one another. The first rail 22 is configured to be attached to a rack via a first mounting member 34 of the first bracket 30 and a second mounting member 36 of the second bracket 32. Preferably, at least one of the first bracket 30 and the second bracket 32 is formed with at least one ventilation hole H. In this embodiment, the first bracket 30 and / or the second bracket 32 is formed with a plurality of ventilation holes H, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the second rail 24 is configured to transport the articles to be transported.
[0009] The first rail 22 is configured with a blocking feature 38. In this embodiment, a predetermined member 40 is connected to the first rail 22, and the predetermined member 40 has an extension arm 37 configured with the blocking feature 38. In other alternative embodiments, the blocking feature 38 may be a protrusion formed on the first rail 22. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the first rail 22 has a first end 22a and a second end 22b, e.g., a front end and a rear end. The blocking feature 38 is located adjacent to the second end 22b of the first rail 22.
[0010] The third rail 26 (e.g., intermediate rail) is movably mounted between the first rail 22 (e.g., outer rail) and the second rail 24 (e.g., inner rail). The third rail 26 has a first end 26a and a second end 26b, e.g., a front end and a rear end.
[0011] The auxiliary member 28 is movably attached to the third rail 26. Preferably, the auxiliary member 28 is pivotally connected to the third rail 26 via a shaft 42. The slide rail assembly 20 further includes an elastic member 44 configured to apply an elastic force to the auxiliary member 28. The elastic member 44 may be an elastic piece or a spring, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the auxiliary member 28 is disposed adjacent to the second end 26b of the third rail 26. Preferably, the auxiliary member 28 includes an extension portion 52 and an auxiliary portion 53. Preferably, the third rail 26 has a first side L1 and a second side L2 that are opposite each other. The extension portion 52 of the auxiliary member 28 extends to the first side L1 of the third rail 26 and protrudes relative to the third rail 26 so as to be adjacent to the first rail 22. For example, the auxiliary member 28 is movably attached to the second side L2 of the third rail 26. The extension portion 52 of the auxiliary member 28 is configured to pass through the predetermined hole 33 in the third rail 26 and extend toward the first rail 22. The extension portion 52 of the auxiliary member 28 is configured to interact with the blocking feature 38 on the first rail 22. Meanwhile, the auxiliary portion 53 of the auxiliary member 28 is disposed on the second side L2 of the third rail 26 and adjacent to the second rail 24.
[0012] The second rail 24 has a first end 24a and a second end 24b, e.g., a front end and a rear end. The second rail 24 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 second rail 24. The second rail 24 includes a working feature 50. In this embodiment, the working feature 50 is disposed on the first wall 46a of the second rail 24 and is a hole (or recess) defined by the walls, although the present invention is not limited thereto. The working feature 50 is configured to interact with an auxiliary portion 53 of the auxiliary member 28.
[0013] Additionally, the second rail 24 is configured with a first predetermined feature 54, and the third rail 26 is configured with a second predetermined feature 56 configured to interact with the first predetermined feature 54. Specifically, the first predetermined feature 54 is disposed on the longitudinal wall 48 of the second rail 24. One of the first predetermined feature 54 and the second predetermined feature 56 has a guide surface. In this embodiment, the first predetermined feature 54 has a first guide surface 54a and a second guide surface 54b that are opposite each other. Preferably, the first guide surface 54a and the second guide surface 54b may be inclined or arcuate surfaces. Meanwhile, the second predetermined feature 56 has a first end 56a and a second end 56b that are opposite each other.
[0014] Preferably, the first predetermined feature 54 is located adjacent to the first end 24a of the second rail 24, and the second predetermined feature 56 is located adjacent to the first end 26a of the third rail 26.
[0015] Preferably, at least one of the first predetermined feature 54 and the second predetermined feature 56 is a protrusion. In this embodiment, both the first predetermined feature 54 and the second predetermined feature 56 are protrusions, but the invention is not limited thereto.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 3 , the slide rail assembly 20 is in a retracted state. Furthermore, the third rail 26 and the second rail 24 are in a predetermined position P (e.g., a retracted position) relative to the first rail 22, and the first ends 24 a, 26 a of the second rail 24 and the third rail 26 are adjacent to the first end 22 a of the first rail 22. When the third rail 26 is in the predetermined position P relative to the first rail 22 and the auxiliary member 28 is in the first state S1 relative to the third rail 26, the blocking feature 38 is configured to block the extension portion 52 of the auxiliary member 28 to prevent the third rail 26 from moving in a predetermined direction D1 (e.g., the opening direction) from the predetermined position P. When the auxiliary member 28 is in the first state S1, the auxiliary member 28 is configured to press the elastic member 44, and the elastic member 44 is in a state in which an elastic force is stored. Preferably, the first wall 46a of the second rail 24 is configured to abut against the auxiliary member 28 to maintain the auxiliary member 28 in the first state S1. Furthermore, when the slide rail assembly 20 is in the retracted state, the first predetermined feature 54 and the second predetermined feature 56 are separated from one another in the longitudinal direction by a predetermined distance, and the working feature 50 and the auxiliary portion 53 of the auxiliary member 28 are separated from one another in the longitudinal direction by another predetermined distance.
[0017] Preferably, first rail 22 is further configured with at least one blocking portion 58. At least one blocking portion 58 is disposed adjacent to second end 22b of first rail 22 and configured to block second end 26b of third rail 26 to prevent third rail 26 from excessive movement in another predetermined direction D2 (e.g., a backward direction) opposite to predetermined direction D1.
[0018] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, during the process of the second rail 24 being moved a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction D1 relative to the third rail 26 at a predetermined position P, the first predetermined feature 54 and the second predetermined feature 56 are configured to come into frictional contact with each other, thereby temporarily providing a slight resistance to the second rail 24 to stop or slow down the movement of the second rail 24 in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the third rail 26.
[0019] Specifically, during the process of moving second rail 24 in predetermined direction D1 relative to third rail 26, first predetermined feature 54 and first end 56a of second predetermined feature 56 come into contact with each other via first guide surface 54a, thereby applying resistance to second rail 24 (shown in FIG. 4). If the movement of second rail 24 in predetermined direction D1 is very slow, or if the operating force applied to second rail 24 in predetermined direction D1 is smaller than the resistance, second rail 24 is configured to stop at temporary position K due to the resistance (shown in FIG. 4).
[0020] Furthermore, if the movement of second rail 24 in predetermined direction D1 becomes faster, or if the operating force applied to second rail 24 in predetermined direction D1 becomes greater than the resistance, second rail 24 is configured to move further in predetermined direction D1 from temporary position K relative to third rail 26 at predetermined position P. During such movement process of second rail 24, the first surface 60 of first predetermined feature 54 and the second surface 62 of second predetermined feature 56 are configured to contact each other to provide resistance to second rail 24 by friction (shown in FIG. 5 ) until first predetermined feature 54 crosses second predetermined feature 56 in predetermined direction D1 (shown in FIG. 6 ).
[0021] Accordingly, the first predetermined feature 54 and the second predetermined feature 56 are configured to contact each other to provide resistance to the second rail 24 through friction, thereby slowing down the movement of the second rail 24 in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the first rail 22 and the third rail 26, avoiding impacts caused by excessively fast movement of the second rail 24 in the predetermined direction D1, thereby improving safety and / or protection.
[0022] Preferably, when the second rail 24 is moved in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the third rail 26 at the predetermined position P with the first predetermined feature 54 crossing the second predetermined feature 56 in the predetermined direction D1, the working feature 50 is disposed adjacent to the auxiliary portion 53 of the auxiliary member 28, allowing the auxiliary member 28 to move (rotate in the rotational direction r) so as to switch from the first state S1 (shown in FIG. 5) to the second state S2 (shown in FIG. 6). This allows the auxiliary portion 53 of the auxiliary member 28 and the working feature 50 to engage with each other, allowing the second rail 24 and the third rail 26 to move synchronously in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the first rail 22. The auxiliary member 28 is moved so as to switch from the first state S1 to the second state S2 in response to the elastic force released by the elastic member 44. When the auxiliary member 28 is in the second state S2, the extension portion 52 of the auxiliary member 28 and the blocking feature 38 on the first rail 22 are not aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction, so that the blocking feature 38 on the first rail 22 no longer blocks the extension portion 52 of the auxiliary member 28, and the third rail 26, which is in the predetermined position P, is able to be driven by the second rail 24 and move synchronously with the second rail 24 in the predetermined direction D1.
[0023] 6, during the process of moving the second rail 24 in the predetermined direction D2 from the extended position relative to the first rail 22, the first predetermined feature 54 and the second end 56b of the second predetermined feature 56 are configured to contact each other via the second guide surface 54b to provide resistance to the second rail 24. During the process of further moving the second rail 24 in the predetermined direction D2 relative to the first rail and the third rail 26, the first surface 60 of the first predetermined feature 54 and the second surface 62 of the second predetermined feature 56 are configured to contact each other to provide resistance to the second rail 24 by friction (see also FIG. 5). This slows down the movement speed of the second rail 24 in the specified direction D2 relative to the first rail 22 and the third rail 26, avoiding impacts caused by the second rail 24 moving at an excessively fast speed in the specified direction D2, thereby improving safety and / or protection.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 7 , the slide rail assembly 20 is applicable to a rack 64. The rack 64 includes a first post 66 a and a second post 66 b, which are separated from each other by a longitudinal distance. The first rail 22 is configured to be attached to the first post 66 a and the second post 66 b via a first bracket 30 (a first mounting member 34 of the first bracket 30) and a second bracket 32 (a second mounting member 36 of the second bracket 32). When the slide rail assembly 20 is in a retracted state, the second rail 24 is configured to transport an item 67 (such as an electronic device) to be transported. When the first bracket 30 and the second bracket 32 are attached to the first post 66 a and the second post 66 b, respectively, the ventilation holes H of the first bracket 30 and / or the second bracket 32 are configured to dissipate heat from a predetermined portion 68 of the item 67 to be transported.
[0025] Therefore, slide rail assembly 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following technical features: During the process of second rail 24 moving in predetermined direction D1 relative to first rail 22 and third rail 26, first predetermined feature 54 and second predetermined feature 56 are configured to come into contact with each other and provide resistance to second rail 24 through friction in order to slow down the movement of second rail 24. Within the extremely limited space inside the slide rail assembly, a temporary buffering and holding mechanism is provided when the slide rail is pulled out, preventing impacts caused by an excessively fast movement speed of second rail 24 (and transported article 67) in predetermined direction D1, thereby improving safety and / or protection.
[0026] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that numerous modifications and variations of the apparatus and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the above disclosure be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.
Claims
1. a first rail configured with a blocking feature; A second rail; a third rail movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail; an auxiliary member movably attached to the third rail, the auxiliary member being movable between a first state and a second state; the second rail is configured with a first predetermined feature and the third rail is configured with a second predetermined feature; when the third rail is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the first rail and the backing member is in the first state, the blocking feature is configured to block the backing member to prevent the third rail from being moved in a predetermined direction from the predetermined position; During the process of moving the second rail a predetermined distance in the predetermined direction relative to the third rail in the predetermined position, the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to contact each other to slow down the movement of the second rail in the predetermined direction relative to the third rail. Slide rail assembly.
2. one of the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature has a first guide surface; 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein during the process of moving the second rail in the predetermined direction by the predetermined distance relative to the third rail in the predetermined position, the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to contact each other via the first guide surface to slow down the movement of the second rail in the predetermined direction relative to the third rail.
3. In the process of further moving the second rail in the predetermined direction relative to the third rail in the predetermined position, the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to contact each other to provide resistance to the second rail by friction until the first predetermined feature crosses the second predetermined feature; the second rail includes a working feature and the support member includes a support portion; 3. The slide rail assembly of claim 2, wherein during the process of moving the second rail in the predetermined direction relative to the third rail in the predetermined position, the auxiliary member is moved and switched from the first state to the second state, whereby the auxiliary portion of the auxiliary member and the working feature are configured to engage with each other, allowing the second rail and the third rail to be moved synchronously in the predetermined direction relative to the first rail.
4. 4. The slide rail assembly of claim 3, wherein one of the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature includes the first guide surface and further includes a second guide surface opposite the first guide surface.
5. the auxiliary member is pivotally connected to the third rail via a shaft; The slide rail assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a resilient member configured to provide a resilient force to the auxiliary member.
6. The slide rail assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature is a protrusion.
7. the second rail and the third rail each have a first end and a second end, the first predetermined feature is located adjacent the first end of the second rail, and the second predetermined feature is located adjacent the first end of the third rail; the first rail has a first end and a second end, the blocking feature is disposed adjacent the second end of the first rail, and the support member is disposed adjacent the second end of the third rail; 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the first ends of the second rail and the third rail are adjacent to the first end of the first rail when the slide rail assembly is in a retracted position.
8. a first rail configured with a blocking feature; A second rail; a third rail movably mounted between the first rail and the second rail; an auxiliary member movably attached to the third rail; the second rail is configured with a first predetermined feature and the third rail is configured with a second predetermined feature; the blocking feature is configured to block the auxiliary member when the third rail is in a retracted position relative to the first rail and the auxiliary member is in a first state; the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to come into contact with each other to provide resistance to the second rail during the process of moving the second rail a predetermined distance in an opening direction relative to the third rail in the retracted position. Slide rail assembly.
9. one of the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature has a first guide surface; 9. The slide rail assembly of claim 8, wherein the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to contact each other via the first guide surface to stop the second rail at a temporary position during the process of moving the second rail the predetermined distance in the opening direction relative to the third rail in the retracted position.
10. In the process of the second rail being further moved in the opening direction from the temporary position relative to the third rail in the retracted position, the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to contact each other to provide resistance to the second rail by friction until the first predetermined feature crosses the second predetermined feature; the second rail includes a working feature and the support member includes a support portion; 10. The slide rail assembly of claim 9, wherein during the process of moving the second rail in the opening direction relative to the third rail in the retracted position, the auxiliary member is moved and switched from the first state to the second state, the blocking feature no longer blocks the auxiliary member, and the auxiliary portion of the auxiliary member and the working feature are configured to engage with each other, thereby allowing the second rail and the third rail to move synchronously in the opening direction relative to the first rail.