Slide rail assembly

Abstract

To provide a slide rail assembly capable of applying resistance to stop or decelerate movement of a rail moving in a predetermined direction with respect to another rail.SOLUTION: The slide rail assembly 20 comprises two slide rails. In a process that a first one of the two slide rails is moved relative to a second one of the two slide rails in a predetermined direction D1, the first predetermined feature 38 and the second predetermined feature 40 are configured to contact with each other to provide a resistance to decelerate a relative movement between the two slide rails.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

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: The outer rail and an intermediate rail that is movable relative to the outer rail; an inner rail that is movable relative to the intermediate rail; the intermediate rail is movably mounted between the outer rail and the inner rail; a given one of the inner rail and the intermediate rail is configured with a first predetermined feature and the outer rail is configured with a second predetermined feature; During a process in which a predetermined one of the inner rail and the intermediate rail is moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail, the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to contact each other to slow down the movement of the predetermined one of the inner rail and the intermediate rail in the predetermined direction relative to the outer rail; The slide rail assembly further includes a synchronization mechanism configured to enable the inner rail and the intermediate rail to move synchronously in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail.

[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes: a first rail and a second rail that are longitudinally movable relative to each other; the first rail is configured with a first predetermined feature and the second rail is configured with a second predetermined feature; During the process of moving the first rail in a predetermined direction relative to the second rail, the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to come into contact with each other to slow down the movement of the first rail in the predetermined direction relative 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 views showing a slide rail assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded view of a slide rail assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the slide rail assembly including an outer rail, an intermediate rail, and an inner rail. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the inner rail and the intermediate rail are capable of moving synchronously in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail via a synchronization mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]1A and 1B are diagrams showing a slide rail assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is configured to be attached to a rack with the inner rail and intermediate rail movable in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail. [Figure 5] 3 is a view showing a state in which the inner rail and the intermediate rail have been moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the inner rail and the intermediate rail have been further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the inner rail and the intermediate rail have been further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a slide rail assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 illustrates a slide rail assembly configured for mounting to a rack in a retracted position according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the intermediate rail and the inner rail have been moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the intermediate rail and the inner rail have been further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the intermediate rail and the inner rail have been further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the intermediate rail and the inner rail have been further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail in the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly 20 includes at least two slide rails. In this embodiment, the slide rail assembly 20 is a three-part slide rail assembly. Specifically, the slide rail assembly 20 includes an outer rail 22, an inner rail 24, and an intermediate rail 26, with the intermediate rail 26 movably mounted between the outer rail 22 and the inner rail 24. The outer rail 22, the inner rail 24, and the intermediate rail 26 are longitudinally movable relative to one another. In this embodiment, 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).

[0009] 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 outer rail 22. The first bracket 30 and the second bracket 32 ​​are longitudinally movable relative to each other. The outer 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 multiple ventilation holes H, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the inner rail 24 is configured to transport an article (e.g., an electronic device) to be transported. The ventilation holes H of the first bracket 30 or the second bracket 32 ​​are configured to dissipate heat from the transported article.

[0010] One of the inner rail 24 and the intermediate rail 26 is configured with a first predetermined feature 38. In the first embodiment, the inner rail 24 is configured with the first predetermined feature 38. Meanwhile, the outer rail 22 is configured with a second predetermined feature 40, which is configured to interact with the first predetermined feature 38. The first predetermined feature 38 has a first guide surface 42a and a second guide surface 42b that are opposite each other. Preferably, the first guide surface 42a and the second guide surface 42b may each be an inclined surface or an arcuate surface. Similarly, the second predetermined feature 40 has a first guide structure 44a and a second guide structure 44b that are opposite each other. Preferably, the first guide structure 44a and the second guide structure 44b each have an inclined surface or an arcuate surface. Preferably, at least one of the first predetermined feature 38 and the second predetermined feature 40 is a protrusion. In this embodiment, both the first predetermined feature 38 and the second predetermined feature 40 are protrusions, although the invention is not limited thereto. The first predetermined feature 38 may be integrally formed with the inner rail 24 or may be an additional component connected to the inner rail 24. In this embodiment, the first predetermined feature 38 is an additional component (such as a resilient piece) connected to the inner rail 24. Similarly, the second predetermined feature 40 may be integrally formed with the outer rail 22 or may be an additional component connected to the outer rail 22. In this embodiment, the second predetermined feature 40 is a protrusion integrally formed with the outer rail 22.

[0011] In addition, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a synchronization mechanism. The synchronization mechanism includes an auxiliary member 46 movably attached to the intermediate rail 26. Preferably, the auxiliary member 46 is rotatably connected to the intermediate rail 26 via a shaft 48, and an elastic member 50 is configured to apply an elastic force to the auxiliary member 46. The elastic member 50 is an elastic piece or a spring, but the invention is not limited thereto. The auxiliary member 46 includes an auxiliary portion 52 configured to interact with a working feature 54 of the inner rail 24, thereby allowing the inner rail 24 and the intermediate rail 26 to move synchronously relative to the outer rail 22. The working feature 54 may be a hole defined by multiple walls in the inner rail 24, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0012] Each of the outer rail 22, the intermediate rail 26, and the inner rail 24 has two opposite ends, such as a front end and a rear end. Specifically, the outer rail 22 has a first end 22a and a second end 22b, the intermediate rail 26 has a first end 26a and a second end 26b, and the inner rail 24 has a first end 24a and a second end 24b.

[0013] Preferably, the first predetermined feature 38 is located adjacent the second end 24b of the inner rail 24 and the second predetermined feature 40 is located adjacent the second end 22b of the outer rail 22.

[0014] Preferably, the support member 46 is positioned adjacent the second end 26 b of the intermediate rail 26 .

[0015] 3, the inner rail 24 and the intermediate rail 26 are configured to move synchronously in a predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 22 via a synchronization mechanism. Specifically, the working feature 54 and the auxiliary portion 52 of the auxiliary member 46 are configured to engage with each other, thereby allowing the inner rail 24 and the intermediate rail 26 to move synchronously in the predetermined direction D1 (e.g., the opening direction) relative to the outer rail 22. The first predetermined feature 38 and the second predetermined feature 40 are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction by a predetermined longitudinal distance.

[0016] Preferably, the outer rail 22 is further configured with at least one blocking portion 56, which is positioned adjacent to the second end 22b of the outer rail 22 for blocking the second end 26b of the intermediate rail 26, thereby preventing the intermediate rail 26 from being moved in another predetermined direction D2 (e.g., a backward direction) opposite to the predetermined direction D1.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4 , the slide rail assembly 20 is applicable to a rack. Furthermore, the first bracket 30 (first mounting member 34 of the first bracket 30) and the second bracket 32 ​​(second mounting member 36 of the second bracket 32) are configured to be attached to a first post 58 and a second post 60 of a rack, respectively, to attach the outer rail 22 to the rack. Furthermore, the slide rail assembly 20 is in a retracted state, and the inner rail 24 and the intermediate rail 26 are retracted relative to the outer rail 22. The inner rail 24 and the intermediate rail 26 are configured to move synchronously in a predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 22 via a synchronization mechanism (the synchronization mechanism is omitted in FIG. 4 ). The first predetermined feature 38 and the second predetermined feature 40 are separated from each other by a predetermined longitudinal distance.

[0018] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, during the process of moving the inner rail 24 in a predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 22, the first predetermined feature 38 and the second predetermined feature 40 are configured to come into contact with each other to slow down the movement of the inner rail 24 in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 22.

[0019] Specifically, during the process of moving the inner rail 24 in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 22, the first guide surface 42a of the first predetermined feature 38 and the first guide structure 44a of the second predetermined feature 40 are configured to come into contact with each other to provide resistance to the inner rail 24 (as shown in FIG. 5 ). When the movement of the inner rail 24 in the predetermined direction D1 is very slow, or when the force applied to the inner rail 24 in the predetermined direction D1 is smaller than the resistance, the inner rail 24 is configured to stop at a temporary position K due to the resistance (as shown in FIG. 5 ). That is, the inner rail 24 is no longer moved in the predetermined direction D1, and as a result, the inner rail 24 stops at the temporary position K relative to the outer rail 22.

[0020] Furthermore, the inner rail 24 is configured to move further in the predetermined direction D1 from the temporary position K relative to the outer rail 22 when the movement of the inner rail 24 in the predetermined direction D1 becomes faster or when the force applied to the inner rail 24 in the predetermined direction D1 is greater than the resistance. During this movement process of the inner rail 24, the first surface 62 of the first predetermined feature 38 and the second surface 64 of the second predetermined feature 40 are configured to contact each other (as shown in FIG. 6) to provide resistance to the inner rail 24 by friction until the first predetermined feature 38 crosses the second predetermined feature 40 in the predetermined direction D1 (as shown in FIG. 7).

[0021] Therefore, the first predetermined feature 38 and the second predetermined feature 40 are configured to contact each other and provide resistance to the inner rail 24 through friction, slowing down the movement of the inner rail 24 in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 22 and avoiding impacts caused by the inner rail 24 moving at an excessively fast speed in the predetermined direction D1, thereby improving safety and / or protection.

[0022] 7, during the process of moving the inner rail 24 in the predetermined direction D2 from the extended position relative to the outer rail 22, the second guide surface 42b of the first predetermined feature 38 and the second guide structure 44b of the second predetermined feature 40 are configured to contact each other to provide resistance to the inner rail 24, slowing down the movement of the inner rail 24 in the predetermined direction D2 relative to the outer rail 22. During the process of further moving the inner rail 24 in the predetermined direction D2 relative to the outer rail 22, the first surface 62 of the first predetermined feature 38 and the second surface 64 of the second predetermined feature 40 are configured to contact each other to provide resistance to the inner rail 24 by friction (see also FIG. 6) until the first predetermined feature 38 crosses the second predetermined feature 40 in the predetermined direction D2. In this way, the movement speed of the inner rail 24 in the predetermined direction D2 relative to the outer rail 22 is reduced, avoiding impacts caused by excessively fast movement speeds of the inner rail 24 (and the articles being transported by the inner rail 24) in the predetermined direction D2, thereby improving safety and / or protection.

[0023] 8, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly 200 includes an outer rail 202, an inner rail 204, and an intermediate rail 206, with the intermediate rail 206 movably mounted between the outer rail 202 and the inner rail 204. Unlike the first embodiment, which has a first predetermined feature 38 and a second predetermined feature 40 disposed on the inner rail 24 and the outer rail 22, respectively, the second embodiment has a first predetermined feature 208 and a second predetermined feature 210 disposed on the intermediate rail 206 and the outer rail 204, respectively.

[0024] Furthermore, the first predetermined feature 208 (e.g., an elastic body such as a spring or a gasket, but the present invention is not limited thereto) has a first guide surface 212a and a second guide surface 212b that are opposite each other. Preferably, the first predetermined feature 208 further has an intermediate portion 214 connected between the first guide surface 212a and the second guide surface 212b. The intermediate portion 214 is formed with a working space 216. Each of the first guide surface 212a and the second guide surface 212b may be an inclined surface or an arcuate surface. The intermediate portion 214 has a substantially flat surface, and the working space 216 may be a hole or a groove. Meanwhile, the second predetermined feature 210 (e.g., an elastic piece, but the present invention is not limited thereto) has a first guide structure 218a and a second guide structure 218b that are opposite each other. Preferably, each of the first guide structure 218a and the second guide structure 218b has an inclined surface or an arcuate surface.

[0025] 9, similar to the first embodiment, outer rail 202 is configured to be attached to first post 224 and second post 226 of a rack via first bracket 220 and second bracket 222. With slide rail assembly 200 in a retracted state, inner rail 204 and middle rail 206 are retracted relative to outer rail 202, and first predetermined feature 208 and second predetermined feature 210 are longitudinally separated from each other by a predetermined longitudinal distance.

[0026] As shown in Figures 10 to 13, during the process of the intermediate rail 206 being moved in a predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 202 (moving in synchronization with the inner rail 204), the first predetermined feature 208 and the second predetermined feature 210 are configured to come into contact with each other to slow down the movement of the intermediate rail 206 in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 202.

[0027] Specifically, during the process of moving the intermediate rail 206 in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 202, the first guide surface 212a of the first predetermined feature 208 and the first guide structure 218a of the second predetermined feature 210 are configured to contact each other to provide resistance to the intermediate rail 206 (shown in FIG. 10 ). When the movement of the intermediate rail 206 in the predetermined direction D1 is very slow, or when the force applied to the inner rail 204 in the predetermined direction D1 is smaller than the resistance, the inner rail 206 is configured to stop at a temporary position K1 due to the resistance (shown in FIG. 10 ).

[0028] Furthermore, when the movement of the intermediate rail 206 in the predetermined direction D1 becomes faster or when the force applied to the inner rail 204 in the predetermined direction D1 is greater than the resistance, the intermediate rail 206 is configured to move further in the predetermined direction D1 from the temporary position K1 relative to the outer rail 22. During this movement process of the intermediate rail 206, the first surface 228 of the first predetermined feature 208 and the second surface 230 of the second predetermined feature 210 are configured to contact each other to provide resistance to the intermediate rail 206 by friction. Meanwhile, the first predetermined feature 208 is pressed against the second predetermined feature 210 and accumulates a predetermined elastic force F (shown in FIG. 11 ). When the second predetermined feature 210 is at a position corresponding to the workspace 216, the first predetermined feature 208 is configured to release the predetermined elastic force F, thereby allowing the second predetermined feature 208 to extend into the workspace 216 (shown in FIG. 12 ). Therefore, the intermediate rail 206 is configured to stop at the predetermined position K2. In other words, the intermediate rail 206 is stopped at the predetermined position K2 relative to the outer rail 202.

[0029] In the process of the intermediate rail 206 being further moved from the predetermined position K2 in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 202, the first guide structure 218a of the second predetermined feature 210 is configured to assist the inner wall W of the workspace 216 in passing over the second predetermined feature 210 in the predetermined direction D1 (shown in FIG. 12 ). Therefore, the entire first predetermined feature 208 can be further moved in the predetermined direction D1 to cross the second predetermined feature 210 (shown in FIG. 13 ).

[0030] Thus, the first predetermined feature 208 and the second predetermined feature 210 are configured to contact each other and provide resistance to the intermediate rail 206 through friction, slowing down the movement of the intermediate rail 206 relative to the outer rail 202 in the predetermined direction D1 and avoiding impacts caused by excessively fast movement speeds of the intermediate rail 206 and / or the inner rail 204 (and the articles conveyed by the inner rail 204) in the predetermined direction D1, thereby improving safety and / or protection. Additionally, after the first predetermined feature 208 passes over the second predetermined feature 210 in the predetermined direction D1 (as shown in FIG. 13 ), the inner rail 204 and the intermediate rail 206 are configured to move synchronously in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 202 via a synchronization mechanism. Such a synchronization mechanism is substantially identical to the synchronization mechanism of the first embodiment and is not further illustrated for simplicity.

[0031] 13, during the process of moving the intermediate rail 206 (and inner rail 204) in the predetermined direction D2 from the extended position relative to the outer rail 202, the second guide surface 212b of the first predetermined feature 208 and the second guide structure 218b of the second predetermined feature 210 are configured to contact each other to provide resistance to the intermediate rail 206 and slow down the movement of the intermediate rail 206 in the predetermined direction D2 relative to the outer rail 202. During the process of further moving the intermediate rail 206 (and inner rail 204) in the predetermined direction D2 relative to the outer rail 202, the first surface 228 of the first predetermined feature 208 and the second surface 230 of the second predetermined feature 210 are configured to contact each other to provide resistance to the intermediate rail 206 by friction until the first predetermined feature 208 crosses the second predetermined feature 210 in the predetermined direction D2 (see also FIG. 11). In this way, the movement speed of the intermediate rail 206 in the predetermined direction D2 relative to the outer rail 202 is reduced, avoiding impacts caused by excessively fast movement speeds of the intermediate rail 206 and / or inner rail 204 (and the articles being transported by the inner rail 204) in the predetermined direction D2, thereby improving safety and / or protection.

[0032] Therefore, the slide rail assembly (20, 200) according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following technical features: The first predetermined feature (38, 208) and the second predetermined feature (40, 210) are configured to contact each other to slow down the movement of the inner rail (24, 204) or the intermediate rail (26, 206) relative to the outer rail (22, 202) in the predetermined direction D1, thereby avoiding impacts caused by excessively fast movement of the inner rail (22, 204) (and the article being conveyed) in the predetermined direction D1, thereby improving safety and / or protection.

[0033] 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. The outer rail and an intermediate rail movable relative to the outer rail; an inner rail movable relative to the intermediate rail; the intermediate rail is movably attached between the outer rail and the inner rail, a given one of the inner rail and the intermediate rail is configured with a first predetermined feature and the outer rail is configured with a second predetermined feature; during a process in which the predetermined one of the inner rail and the intermediate rail is moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail, the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to contact each other to slow down the movement of the predetermined one of the inner rail and the intermediate rail in the predetermined direction relative to the outer rail; The slide rail assembly further includes a synchronization mechanism configured to enable the inner rail and the intermediate rail to move synchronously relative to the outer rail in the predetermined direction. 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 a process in which the predetermined one of the inner rail and the intermediate rail is moved in the predetermined direction relative to the outer rail, the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to contact each other via the first guide surface in order to slow down the movement of the predetermined one of the inner rail and the intermediate rail in the predetermined direction relative to the outer rail.

3. a first rail and a second rail that are longitudinally movable relative to each other; the first rail is configured with a first predetermined feature and the second rail is configured with a second predetermined feature; During the process of moving the first rail in a predetermined direction relative to the second rail, the first predetermined feature and the second predetermined feature are configured to contact each other to slow down the movement of the first rail in the predetermined direction relative to the second rail. Slide rail assembly.

4. the first predetermined feature includes a first guide surface; 4. The slide rail assembly of claim 3, wherein during the process of moving the first rail in the predetermined direction relative to the second rail, the first guide surface is configured to contact the second predetermined feature portion to slow down the movement of the first rail in the predetermined direction relative to the second rail.

5. The slide rail assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first predetermined feature further comprises a second guide surface opposite the first guide surface.

6. the first predetermined feature portion is formed with a working space between the first guide surface and the second guide surface; 6. The slide rail assembly of claim 5, wherein the second predetermined feature is configured to extend into the workspace to stop the first rail at a predetermined position relative to the second rail during the process of the first rail being further moved in the predetermined direction relative to the second rail.

7. the first rail is an inner rail of a slide rail assembly, and the second rail is an outer rail of the slide rail assembly; 5. The slide rail assembly of claim 4, further comprising an intermediate rail movably mounted between said outer rail and said inner rail.

8. 8. The slide rail assembly of claim 7, further comprising a synchronization mechanism configured to enable the inner rail and the intermediate rail to move synchronously in the predetermined direction relative to the outer rail.

9. the first rail is a middle rail of a slide rail assembly, and the second rail is an outer rail of the slide rail assembly; 7. The slide rail assembly of claim 6, further comprising an inner rail, said intermediate rail being movably mounted between said outer rail and said inner rail.

10. 10. The slide rail assembly of claim 9, further comprising a synchronization mechanism configured to enable the inner rail and the intermediate rail to move synchronously in the predetermined direction relative to the outer rail.

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