Slide rail assembly and slide rail

Abstract

To provide a slide rail assembly and its slide rail capable of improving structural strength.SOLUTION: The slide rail assembly 20 comprises at least two slide rails. One of the two slide rails includes a pair of walls side 28a, side 28b and a middle wall 30 connected between the pair of walls. The middle wall of the slide rail is arranged with a predetermined portion 52,74 bent relative to the middle wall, and a ball groove 40,60 is formed in the predetermined portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail mechanism, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly and slide rail therefor that can improve structural strength. [Background technology]

[0002] U.S. Patent No. 9,894,993 B2 discloses a three-part slide rail assembly with enhanced support capacity, including a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail. The first rail has a first longitudinal body with a pair of first arms extending from either side of the first longitudinal body. A first passage is defined by the pair of first arms and the first longitudinal body. Each first arm has a first ball raceway disposed in the first passage. The second rail is movable relative to the first passage of the first rail. The second rail has a second longitudinal body. A pair of second arms extend from either side of the second longitudinal body along with the second longitudinal body. The second passage is defined by the pair of second arms and the second longitudinal body. Each second arm has a first arm section and a second arm section. The first arm section has a second inner ball raceway, and the second arm section has a second outer ball raceway. The third rail is movable relative to the second passage of the second rail. The third rail has a third longitudinal body. A pair of longitudinal support structures extends from opposite sides of the third longitudinal body. Each support structure includes a first support arm and a second support arm. One of the first support arm and the second support arm has a third ball raceway facing the second inner ball raceway of the second rail. Summary of the Invention

[0003] However, in order to meet the diverse demands of the market, it is important to develop a variety of products.

[0004] The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly and a slide rail therefor that can improve structural strength.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly includes: a first rail including a first wall, a second wall, and a first intermediate wall connected between the first wall and the second wall; a passage defined by the first wall, the second wall, and the first intermediate wall; a slide assist device disposed in the passage of the first rail, the slide assist device including a first rolling member; and a second rail movable relative to the first rail, the second rail including a third wall, a fourth wall, and a second intermediate wall connected between the third wall and the fourth wall. the first intermediate wall of the first rail is disposed with a first predetermined portion bent relative to the first intermediate wall, the first predetermined portion being formed with a first ball groove; the second rail further includes a first extension wall, the first extension wall including a first extension section, a second extension section, and a first intermediate section connected between the first extension section and the second extension section, the first extension section extending from a third wall of the second rail, the first intermediate section being formed with a second ball groove; the first rolling member is located between the first ball groove and the second ball groove.

[0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail comprises a first wall; a second wall; and an intermediate wall connected between the first wall and the second wall; the intermediate wall of the slide rail is arranged with a first predetermined portion bent relative to the intermediate wall, and the first predetermined portion is formed with a ball groove.

[0007] 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]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a slide rail assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1 and 2, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22, a slide assist device 24, and a second rail 26. For example, the first rail 22 is an outer rail, and the second rail 26 is an inner rail.

[0010] The first rail 22 includes a first wall 28a, a second wall 28b, and a first intermediate wall 30 connected between the first wall 28a and the second wall 28b. A passage 32 is defined by the first wall 28a, the second wall 28b, and the first intermediate wall 30.

[0011] The slide assist device 24 is disposed in the passage 32 of the first rail 22. The slide assist device 24 includes a first rolling member 34. In this embodiment, the first rolling member 34 is a ball, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the slide assist device 24 further includes a retainer 35 configured to mount the first rolling member 34.

[0012] The second rail 26 is movable relative to the first rail 22, and includes a third wall 36a, a fourth wall 36b, and a second intermediate wall 38 connected between the third wall 36a and the fourth wall 36b.

[0013] The first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22 is disposed with a first predetermined portion 52 bent relative to the first intermediate wall 30. For example, the first predetermined portion 52 is disposed in a substantially arcuate shape. The first predetermined portion 52 has a first ball groove 40, and the second rail 26 further includes a first extension wall 42. The first extension wall 42 includes a first extension section 44, a second extension section 46, and a first intermediate section 48 connected between the first extension section 44 and the second extension section 46. The first extension section 44 extends from the third wall 36a of the second rail 26, and the first intermediate section 48 includes a second ball groove 50. The first rolling member 34 is positioned between the first ball groove 40 and the second ball groove 50.

[0014] The first predetermined portion 52 is adjacent to the first wall 28a of the first rail 22. The first intermediate section 48 of the second rail 26 has an arcuate profile. In this embodiment, the first rolling member 34 contacts the first ball groove 40 and the arcuate profile of the first intermediate section 48.

[0015] Preferably, the first wall 28a of the first rail 22 includes a first support section K1 and a second support section K2 bent relative to the first support section K1. The second support section K2 is configured to hold the second extension section 46 of the second rail 26 to prevent the second rail 26 from disengaging from the passage 32 of the first rail 22.

[0016] Preferably, the first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22 has a first surface S1 and a second surface S2 opposite the first surface S1. The first surface S1 faces the second rail 26; in other words, the first surface S1 is closer to the second rail 26 than the second surface S2. The first predetermined portion 52 includes a first shoulder section 54a, a second shoulder section 54b, and a valley section 56 located between the first shoulder section 54a and the second shoulder section 54b. The shoulder sections 54a and 54b protrude or rise from the first surface S1 of the first intermediate wall 30, thereby increasing the structural strength of the first rail 22 (the first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22) and further improving the stability of the first rolling member 34 located between the first ball groove 40 and the second ball groove 50.

[0017] Preferably, the slide assist device 24 further includes a second rolling member 58. In this embodiment, the second rolling member 58 is a ball, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the cage 35 is configured to mount the second rolling member 58. The first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22 is further arranged with a second predetermined portion 74 bent relative to the first intermediate wall 30. For example, the second predetermined portion 74 is arranged in a substantially arcuate shape. The second predetermined portion 74 has a third ball groove 60, and the second rail 26 further includes a second extension wall 62. The second extension wall 62 includes a third extension section 64, a fourth extension section 66, and a second intermediate section 68 connected between the third extension section 64 and the fourth extension section 66. The third extension section 64 extends from the fourth wall 36b of the second rail 26. The second intermediate section 68 includes a fourth ball groove 70. The second rolling member 58 is located between the third ball groove 60 and the fourth ball groove 70 .

[0018] Preferably, the second predetermined portion 74 is adjacent to the second wall 28b of the first rail 22. The second intermediate section 68 of the second rail 26 has an arcuate profile. In this embodiment, the second rolling member 58 contacts the third ball groove 60 and the arcuate profile of the second intermediate section 68.

[0019] Preferably, the second wall 28b of the first rail 22 includes a third support section K3 and a fourth support section K4 bent relative to the third support section K3. The fourth support section K4 is configured to hold the fourth extension section 66 of the second rail 26 to prevent the second rail 26 from disengaging from the passage 32 of the first rail 22.

[0020] Preferably, the second predetermined portion 74 includes a first shoulder section 76a, a second shoulder section 76b, and a valley section 78 located between the first shoulder section 76a and the second shoulder section 76b. The shoulder sections 76a, 76b protrude or protrude from the first surface S1 of the first intermediate wall 30, thereby increasing the structural strength of the first rail 22 (the first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22) and further improving the stability of the second rolling member 58 located between the third ball groove 60 and the fourth ball groove 70.

[0021] Furthermore, since the second rail 26 is typically configured to support an article (not shown), the article is subjected to gravity. The first predetermined portion 52 of the first rail 22 is bent relative to the first intermediate wall 30 to provide a reinforcing effect, improving the structural strength or support strength of the entire first rail 22 (or slide rail assembly 20). That is, the first shoulder section 54a and the second shoulder section 54b of the first predetermined portion 52 protrude or bulge relative to the first surface S1 of the first intermediate wall 30. This increases the structural strength of the first rail 22 (first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22) and further improves the stability of the first rolling member 34 located between the first ball groove 40 and the second ball groove 50.

[0022] Similarly, the second predetermined portion 74 of the first rail 22 is bent relative to the first intermediate wall 30 to provide a reinforcing effect, improving the structural strength or support strength of the entire first rail 22 (or slide rail assembly 20). That is, the first shoulder section 76a and the second shoulder section 76b of the second predetermined portion 74 protrude or protrude from the first surface S1 of the first intermediate wall 30 and are used as reinforcing ribs. This increases the structural strength of the first rail 22 (first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22) and further improves the stability of the second rolling member 58 located between the third ball groove 60 and the fourth ball groove 70.

[0023] Further, embodiments of the present invention provide a slide rail, such as the first rail 22. The first rail 22 has the aforementioned structural configuration. Reference is made to the structural configuration of the first rail 22 shown in FIG. 2 and the related description. For the sake of simplicity, further illustration is not provided.

[0024] Therefore, the slide rail assembly 20 and its slide rails (such as the first rail 22) provided by the embodiment of the present invention can have better structural strength or support strength due to the above-mentioned technical features.

[0025] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that numerous modifications and variations of the device and method are possible 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 including a first wall, a second wall, and a first intermediate wall connected between the first wall and the second wall; a passageway defined by the first wall, the second wall, and the first intermediate wall; a slide assist device disposed in the passage of the first rail, the slide assist device including a first rolling member and a retainer configured to mount the first rolling member; a second rail movable relative to the first rail, the second rail including a third wall, a fourth wall, and a second intermediate wall connected between the third wall and the fourth wall; the first intermediate wall of the first rail is disposed with a first predetermined portion bent relative to the first intermediate wall, the first predetermined portion being formed with a first ball groove; the second rail further includes a first extension wall, the first extension wall including a first extension section, a second extension section, and a first intermediate section connected between the first extension section and the second extension section; the first extension section extends from the third wall of the second rail toward the first intermediate wall in the height direction of the slide rail assembly so as to be connected to the first intermediate section; the second extension section extends from the first intermediate section in the height direction so as to be away from the first intermediate wall; and the first intermediate section is formed with a second ball groove; the first rolling member is located between the first ball groove and the second ball groove, the first wall of the first rail includes a first predetermined section extending from the first intermediate wall in the height direction, a second predetermined section extending from the first predetermined section in the width direction of the slide rail assembly, a first support section extending from the second predetermined section in the height direction so as to be away from the first intermediate wall, and a second support section bent with respect to the first support section so as to extend from the first support section in the width direction, and the second extension section of the second rail extends from the first intermediate section toward the second support section and is configured to be held by the second support section, the height direction is perpendicular to the width direction, the first intermediate wall of the first rail has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the first predetermined portion is substantially arcuate and includes a first shoulder section, a second shoulder section, and a valley section located between the first shoulder section and the second shoulder section of the first predetermined portion, the first shoulder section and the second shoulder section of the first predetermined portion protruding from the first surface of the first intermediate wall; the predetermined extension portion of the first intermediate wall extends in the width direction from the first shoulder section so as to be connected to the first predetermined section; the predetermined extension portion, the first predetermined section, and the second predetermined section define an accommodating space configured to accommodate a side portion of the retainer. Slide rail assembly.

2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first surface is closer to the second rail than the second surface.

3. the slide assist device further includes a second rolling member, the first intermediate wall of the first rail is disposed with a second predetermined portion bent relative to the first intermediate wall, and the second predetermined portion is formed with a third ball groove; the second rail further includes a second extension wall, the second extension wall including a third extension section, a fourth extension section, and a second intermediate section connected between the third extension section and the fourth extension section; 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the third extension section extends from the fourth wall of the second rail, the second intermediate section is formed with a fourth ball groove, and the second rolling member is located between the third ball groove and the fourth ball groove.

4. 4. The slide rail assembly of claim 3, wherein the second wall of the first rail includes a third support section and a fourth support section bent relative to the third support section, the fourth support section being configured to hold the fourth extension section of the second rail.

5. the second predetermined portion is substantially arcuate and includes a first shoulder section, a second shoulder section, and a valley section located between the first shoulder section and the second shoulder section of the second predetermined portion; 5. The slide rail assembly of claim 4, wherein the first shoulder section and the second shoulder section of the second predetermined portion protrude relative to the first surface of the first intermediate wall.

6. The first wall and The second wall and an intermediate wall connected between the first wall and the second wall, The intermediate wall of the slide rail is disposed with a first predetermined portion bent relative to the intermediate wall, and the first predetermined portion is formed with a ball groove; the intermediate wall of the slide rail has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, the first predetermined portion includes a first shoulder section, a second shoulder section, and a valley section located between the first shoulder section and the second shoulder section of the first predetermined portion, the first shoulder section and the second shoulder section of the first predetermined portion protruding from the first surface of the intermediate wall; the first wall includes a first predetermined section extending from the intermediate wall in the height direction of the slide rail, a second predetermined section extending from the first predetermined section in the width direction of the slide rail, a first support section extending from the second predetermined section in the height direction so as to be away from the intermediate wall, and a second support section bent with respect to the first support section so as to extend from the first support section in the width direction, the height direction is perpendicular to the width direction, The predetermined extension portion of the intermediate wall extends in the width direction from the first shoulder section so as to be connected to the first predetermined section. Slide rail.

7. The intermediate wall of the slide rail is further disposed with a second predetermined portion bent relative to the intermediate wall, the second predetermined portion being formed with a ball groove; 7. The slide rail of claim 6, wherein the second predetermined portion includes a first shoulder section, a second shoulder section, and a valley section located between the first shoulder section and the second shoulder section of the second predetermined portion, and the first shoulder section and the second shoulder section of the second predetermined portion protrude relative to the first surface of the intermediate wall.

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