Slide rail mechanism

Abstract

We provide a slide rail mechanism with an interlock function. [Solution] The system includes a first slide rail assembly (200), a second slide rail assembly (206), and a locking member (230). The second rails (202, 208) of the first slide rail assembly (200) and the second slide rail assembly (206) are configured to be displaceable by a predetermined distance (G) in the opening direction (D1) from a retracted position (R) to a working position relative to the corresponding first rails (204, 210). When the second rail (202) is displaced in the opening direction (D1) from the retracted position or working position, the locking member (230) is driven to move from a first predetermined position (P1) to a second predetermined position, preventing the second rail (208) from being displaced in the opening direction (D1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the slide rail mechanism described in the preamble of claim 1.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an interlock mechanism adapted to a cabinet body. A plurality of drawers are arranged in the cabinet body and are respectively supported by a plurality of slide rail assemblies. Each of the plurality of slide rail assemblies includes a fixed rail fixed to the cabinet body and a movable rail configured to support a corresponding drawer. The interlock mechanism includes a lock rod movable with respect to the cabinet body. A plurality of rotating members are arranged on the lock rod. A guide member is arranged on the side surface of each drawer, and the guide member includes an inclined protruding block portion and a block portion located below the inclined protruding block portion. When one of the drawers is opened, the inclined protruding block portion of the guide member of one of the drawers abuts against the corresponding rotating member, driving the lock rod to move from the unlocked position to the locked position, so that the block portion of the other guide member blocks the other rotating member to prevent the other drawers from being opened.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a storage system having an interlock function. Similar to Patent Document 1, a cam assembly is arranged on each of the plurality of drawers in the storage system of Patent Document 2 and is configured to cooperate with a lock rod. When one of the drawers is opened, the cam assemblies of the other drawers are respectively blocked by corresponding protrusions on the lock rod, so that the other drawers are prevented from being opened.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a drawer open position control device having a housing, a plurality of drawers disposed on the housing, and a drawer lock. The drawer lock includes a plurality of ramps, a plurality of followers, and a plurality of blocking devices. The ramps and blocking devices protrude from a link bar. When one of the drawers is opened from a retracted position to an open position, for example to a fully open position, a follower in that drawer moves along a guide path between the corresponding ramp and the corresponding blocking device, and the corresponding blocking device is supported by a support to maintain the position of the link bar so that other blocking devices can block the followers of other drawers. Thus, the other drawers can only be opened from a retracted position to a predetermined position, for example to a half-open position. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 3,888,558 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 3404929 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 6,722,749 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, to meet different requirements, it becomes a crucial challenge to offer different slide rail products with interlocking functions.

[0007] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a slide rail mechanism equipped with an interlock function.

[0008] This is achieved by the slide rail mechanism described in claim 1. Dependent claims relate to corresponding further developments and improvements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] As will become clearer from the following detailed description, the slide rail mechanism of the present invention includes a first slide rail assembly, a second slide rail assembly, a first operating device, a second operating device, and a locking member. Each of the first and second slide rail assemblies includes a first rail and a second rail that is displaceable relative to the first rail. The first operating device is located on the second rail of the first slide rail assembly. The first operating device includes a first operating member and a first predetermined track. The second operating device is located on the second rail of the second slide rail assembly. The second operating device includes a second operating member and a second predetermined track. The locking member is movable relative to the first rail of each of the first and second slide rail assemblies. A first auxiliary part is located on the locking member. A second auxiliary part is located on the locking member. When the second rails of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly are in a retracted position relative to the first rails of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly, the first auxiliary part and the second auxiliary part are separated by a predetermined distance from the first and second operating devices, respectively. The second rails of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly are displaceable by the predetermined distance in the opening direction from the retracted position to the working position relative to the first rails of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly. When the second rail of the first slide rail assembly is displaced in the opening direction from the working position relative to the first rail of the first slide rail assembly, the first operating member of the first operating device is configured to contact the first auxiliary part and drive the locking member, moving it in the height direction from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position, and the first predetermined track of the first operating device is configured to support the locking member in order to maintain the locking member in the second predetermined position.When the locking member is in a second predetermined position, the second auxiliary member is configured to block the second operating member and prevent the second rail of the second slide rail assembly from being displaced in the opening direction from the working position relative to the first rail of the second slide rail assembly.

[0010] In summary, the present invention allows for the prevention of displacement of the other second rail of the slide rail assembly from its working position in the opening direction when the second rail of one of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly is displaced in the opening direction.

[0011] These and other objects of the present invention will undoubtedly become apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the detailed description of the following preferred embodiments shown in various figures and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the attached drawings as an example. [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a slide rail mechanism adapted for a rack according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a first viewpoint. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a slide rail mechanism adapted for a rack according to the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from a second viewpoint. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded view of a slide rail mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of portion A of the slide rail mechanism shown in Figure 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram of a slide rail mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the locking member is in a first predetermined position. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of portion B of the slide rail mechanism shown in Figure 5 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram of a slide rail mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail of the first slide rail assembly is displaced in the opening direction relative to the first rail of the first slide rail assembly, and the locking member is in a second predetermined position. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of portion C of the slide rail mechanism shown in Figure 7 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of portion D of the slide rail mechanism shown in Figure 7 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram of a slide rail mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail of the first slide rail assembly is displaced in the retraction direction, and the locking member is in an intermediate position between the first predetermined position and the second predetermined position. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of portion E of the slide rail mechanism shown in Figure 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a diagram of a slide rail mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention, comprising a first slide rail assembly mounted on a rack and supporting a first electronic device, a second slide rail assembly mounted on a rack and supporting a second electronic device, and a locking member located at a first predetermined position. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a diagram of a slide rail mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second rail of the first slide rail assembly are each displaced by a predetermined distance in the opening direction relative to the corresponding first rail. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is an enlarged view of portion F of the slide rail mechanism shown in Figure 13, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a diagram of a slide rail mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the second rail of the first slide rail assembly is in the fully open position relative to the corresponding first rail, and the second rail of the second slide rail assembly is in the working position relative to the corresponding first rail. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of part G of the slide rail mechanism shown in FIG. 15, according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of part H of the slide rail mechanism shown in FIG. 15, according to the second embodiment of the present invention. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and which illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, terms indicating directions such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", etc. are used with respect to the directions of the drawings being described. The components of the present invention can be located in a number of different directions. Therefore, the terms regarding directions are used for purposes of explanation and are not in any way limiting. Thus, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, unless otherwise specified, the term "connected" is intended to mean either an indirect or direct mechanical connection. Therefore, when a first device is connected to a second device, the connection can be through a direct mechanical connection or through an indirect mechanical connection via other devices and connections.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the first embodiment, the slide rail mechanism is configured to be mounted on the wall or posts of the rack 22. The rack 22 includes a first post section 22a and a second post section 22b. For example, the first post section 22a and the second post section 22b of the rack 22 may be the front post section and the rear post section of the rack 22, respectively. The slide rail mechanism includes a plurality of slide rail assemblies and a locking member 30. In this embodiment, as an example, the plurality of slide rail assemblies include a first slide rail assembly 24, a second slide rail assembly 26, and a third slide rail assembly 28. The wall of the rack 22 includes a first side L1 and a second side L2 opposite the first side L1. For example, the first side L1 and the second side L2 of the wall of the rack 22 may be the inside and outside of the wall of the rack 22. The first slide rail assembly 24, the second slide rail assembly 26, and the third slide rail assembly 28 are configured to be attached to the rack 22, for example, to the first side L1 of the wall of the rack 22. The first slide rail assembly 24, the second slide rail assembly 26, and the third slide rail assembly 28 can have substantially the same structure, and the first slide rail assembly 24, the second slide rail assembly 26, and the third slide rail assembly 28 can be arranged at intervals from top to bottom in the height direction of the rack 22.

[0015] The locking member 30 is movable relative to the rack 22. In this embodiment, for example, the locking member 30 is movably attached to the rack 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0016] The locking member 30 is preferably a rod structure arranged parallel to the height direction (Z-axis) of the rack 22.

[0017] The locking member 30 is preferably detachably attached to the rack 22. For example, the locking member 30 can be attached to the rack 22 by a mounting member 32. In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in Figure 2, the mounting member 32 includes at least one mounting portion 34 configured to engage with at least one corresponding portion of the first post portion 22a of the rack 22. One of the mounting portion 34 and the corresponding portion is a projection, and the other of the mounting portion 34 and the corresponding portion is a mounting hole. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the mounting member 32 may be a fixing member such as a screw member, bolt member or any other screw member configured to be fixed to the first post portion 22a of the rack 22.

[0018] It is preferable that the first limiting portion 38 is located on either the rack 22 or the mounting member 32. In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in Figure 2, the first limiting portion 38 is located on the mounting member 32, and the second limiting portion 40 is located on the locking member 30, and is configured to cooperate with the first limiting portion 38 to restrict the movement of the locking member 30 relative to the rack 22 to a limited range. Also, as shown in Figure 2, one of the first limiting portion 38 and the second limiting portion 40 is a protrusion, and the other of the first limiting portion 38 and the second limiting portion 40 is an elongated hole arranged parallel to the height direction of the rack 22, with the protrusion penetrating a part of the elongated hole.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the structural relationship between the rack 22 and the first slide rail assembly 24 is substantially the same as the structural relationship between the rack 22 and the second slide rail assembly 26 and the structural relationship between the rack 22 and the third slide rail assembly 28. For simplicity, a detailed description of the structural relationship between the rack 22 and the first slide rail assembly 24 is provided as an example. Specifically, the first slide rail assembly 24 includes a first rail 42 and a second rail 44 that is displaceable longitudinally relative to the first rail 42. Preferably, the first slide rail assembly 24 further includes a third rail 45, the second rail 44 being movable between the first rail 42 and the third rail 45. In this embodiment, as an example, the first rail 42, the second rail 44 and the third rail 45 are the outer rail, the intermediate rail and the inner rail, respectively. Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, the longitudinal direction is defined by the length or displacement direction of the slide rail, for example, the first rail 42, the second rail 44, or the third rail 45, and is parallel to the X-axis. The lateral direction can be defined by the lateral or width direction of the slide rail, for example, the first rail 42, the second rail 44, or the third rail 45, and is parallel to the Y-axis. The height direction is defined by the height direction of the slide rail, for example, the first rail 42, the second rail 44, or the third rail 45, or the height direction of the rack 22, and is parallel to the Z-axis.

[0020] Furthermore, the first rail 42 is attached to the rack 22. In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in Figure 1, the first rail 42 is attached to the rack 22 by a bracket 46. The bracket 46 is configured to be attached to or fixed to the first rail 42 and can therefore be considered structurally part of the first rail 42. The first rail 42 also includes a channel 48 configured to receive the second rail 44, and the third rail 45 is configured to support a holding object such as an electronic device or drawer (not shown). The second rail 44 includes a first side L1' and a second side L2' opposite to the first side L1'. The first side L1' of the second rail 44 faces or is adjacent to the first rail 42, and the second side L2' of the second rail 44 faces or is adjacent to the third rail 45.

[0021] The slide rail mechanism further includes a first operating device 50 positioned on the first side L1' of the second rail 44 of the first slide rail assembly 24. A movable member 52 is also movably attached to the bracket 46. The structural relationship between the locking member 30 and the first slide rail assembly 24 is substantially the same as the structural relationship between the locking member 30 and the second slide rail assembly 26 and the structural relationship between the locking member 30 and the third slide rail assembly 28. For simplicity, a detailed description of the structural relationship between the locking member 30 and the first slide rail assembly 24 is provided as an example. Specifically, the movable member 52 is movable in the height direction (Z-axis) relative to the bracket 46. Preferably, the slide rail mechanism further includes a first auxiliary part 54 positioned on the locking member 30, and the first rail 42 of the first slide rail assembly 24 includes a first space S1. In this embodiment, as an example, the first space S1 is an extending hole positioned parallel to the height direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The first auxiliary part 54 is configured to sequentially pass through a predetermined hole 56 in the movable member 52 and a portion of the first space S1 in cooperation with the first operating device 50 located on the second rail 44 of the first slide rail assembly 24.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first auxiliary part 54 is preferably, for example, a positioning pin or a columnar structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The first auxiliary part 54 includes a first extension 58 having first dimensions and a second extension 60 having second dimensions smaller than the first dimension and connected to the first extension 58. As shown in Figure 2, the first extension 58 is connected to a locking member 30 and a portion thereof is configured to be located in a corresponding space 62 of the locking member 30, and the second extension 60 is configured to sequentially penetrate a predetermined hole 56 of the movable member 52 and a portion of the first space S1. The second extension 60 further includes a rotating part 64 positioned on the second extension 60 and configured to cooperate with the first operating device 50.

[0023] The first limiting portion 66 and the second limiting portion 68 are preferably positioned on the bracket 46 to restrict the vertical movement of the movable member 52, and the movable member 52 is located between the bracket 46 and the first rail 42.

[0024] The first operating device 50 preferably includes a first operating member 70 and a first predetermined track 72. The first operating member 70 includes a first portion 74 and a second portion 76. A first guide path K1 is formed between the first portion 74 and the second portion 76 of the first operating member 70 and communicates with a first support path J1 formed in the first predetermined track 72.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second rail 44 and the third rail 45 each include a first predetermined portion 78 and a second predetermined portion 80, respectively. The first predetermined portion 78 engages with the second predetermined portion 80 to drive the third rail 45, which is configured to be displaced synchronously with the second rail 44. In this embodiment, as an example, the engaging member 82 is movably attached to the second rail 44 and, for example, pivotally connected, the first predetermined portion 78 is an engaging hook formed on the engaging member 82, and the second predetermined portion 80 is a hole wall of a hole structure formed on the third rail 45, which is configured to engage with the first predetermined portion 78. When the third rail 45 and the second rail 44 are displaced synchronously by a predetermined distance relative to the first rail 42, the disengagement structure of the first rail 42 is configured to disengage the first predetermined portion 78 and the second predetermined portion 80, thereby ending the synchronous displacement of the third rail 45 and the second rail 44.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the locking member 30 is movable relative to the rack 22 only within a limited range in the height direction (Z-axis) due to the cooperation of the first limiting portion 38 and the second limiting portion 40.

[0027] Furthermore, when the slide rail mechanism is in the state shown in Figure 5, both the first slide rail assembly 24 and the second slide rail assembly 26 are retracted, and the locking member 30 is located at the first predetermined position P1. That is, at this time, both the second rail 44 and the third rail 45 of the first slide rail assembly 24 are located at a retracted position R relative to the first rail 42 of the first slide rail assembly 24, and both the second rail 84 and the third rail 85 of the second slide rail assembly 26 are located at a retracted position R relative to the first rail 86 of the second slide rail assembly 26. When both the second rail 44 and the third rail 45 of the first slide rail assembly 24 are located at a retracted position R relative to the first rail 42 of the first slide rail assembly 24, it is preferable that the front end 44a of the second rail 44 and the front end 45a of the third rail 45 of the first slide rail assembly 24 do not protrude from the front end 42a of the first rail 42 of the first slide rail assembly 24. Similarly, when both the second rail 84 and the third rail 85 of the second slide rail assembly 26 are in a recessed position R relative to the first rail 86 of the second slide rail assembly 26, the front end 84a of the second rail 84 and the front end 85a of the third rail 85 of the second slide rail assembly 26 do not protrude from the front end 86a of the first rail 86 of the second slide rail assembly 26.

[0028] In addition to the first actuation device 50 positioned on the second rail 44 of the first slide rail assembly 24 and the first auxiliary part 54 positioned on the locking member 30, the slide rail mechanism further includes a second actuation device 88 positioned on the first side of the second rail 84 of the second slide rail assembly 26, and a second auxiliary part 90 positioned on the locking member 30 and configured to cooperate with the second actuation device 88. The second actuation device 88 and the first actuation device 50 have substantially identical structures. The second auxiliary part 90 and the first auxiliary part 54 have substantially identical structures. For the sake of brevity, a detailed description of the second actuation device 88 and the second auxiliary part 90 is omitted here.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the rotating part 64 of the first auxiliary part 54 is configured to cooperate with the first operating device 50 on the second rail 44 of the first slide rail assembly 24, and the rotating part 94 of the second auxiliary part 90 is configured to cooperate with the second operating device 88 on the second rail 84 of the second slide rail assembly 26.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the structural relationship between the first operating device 50 and the first auxiliary part 54 is substantially the same as the structural relationship between the second operating device 88 and the second auxiliary part 90. For simplicity, a detailed description of the first operating device 50 and the first auxiliary part 54 is provided as an example. The first portion 74 of the first operating member 70 includes a first guide section 96, and the second portion 76 of the first operating member 70 includes a second guide section 98 facing the first guide section 96. In this embodiment, for example, the first guide section 96 and the second guide section 98 are inclined surfaces or curved surfaces. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. A first guide path K1 is formed between the first guide section 96 of the first portion 74 and the second guide section 98 of the second portion 76 of the first operating member 70, and communicates with a first support path J1 formed in a first predetermined track 72. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example, both the first predetermined track 72 and the first support path J1 formed on the first predetermined track 72 are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction, i.e., the longitudinal direction (X-axis), of the second rail 44.

[0031] It is preferable that at least one guide portion 100 is positioned on the bracket 46. In this embodiment, the at least one guide portion 100 includes a pair of wing portions that support or hold the movable member 52 in order to enhance the vertical (Z-axis) movement stability of the movable member 52 relative to the bracket 46.

[0032] As shown in Figures 7 to 9, when the second rail 44 of the first slide rail assembly 24 is displaced in the opening direction D1 from a retracted position R relative to the first rail 42, (as shown in Figures 7 and 8) the first operating member 70 of the first operating device 50 comes into contact with the first auxiliary part 54 and drives the locking member 30, moving it from a first predetermined position P1 to a second predetermined position P2, and the first predetermined track 72 of the first operating device 50 supports the first auxiliary part 54 to maintain the locking member 30 at the second predetermined position P2.

[0033] As shown in Figure 7, when the second rail 44 and the third rail 45 of the first slide rail assembly 24 are synchronously displaced from a retracted position R to an extended position E relative to the first rail 42, it is preferable that the front end 44a of the second rail 44 and the front end 45a of the third rail 45 of the first slide rail assembly 24 protrude a predetermined distance X from the front end 42a of the first rail 42. During the above process, as shown in Figure 8, the first guide section 96 of the first part 74 of the first working member 70 of the first working device 50 comes into contact with the rotating part 64 of the first auxiliary part 54, causing the rotating part 64 of the first auxiliary part 54 to rotate in a predetermined direction M along the first guide path K1, and to enter the first support path J1 from the lower position to the upper position 104. This drives the locking member 44 to move in the first height direction H1 from a first predetermined position P1 to a second predetermined position P2, and the first predetermined track 45 of the first operating device 24 is configured to support the rotating part 42 of the first auxiliary part 44 which moves from the first guide path K1 to the first support path J1 in order to maintain the locking member 44 at the second predetermined position P2.

[0034] As shown in Figure 9, the second operating member 106 of the second operating device 88 includes a first portion 108 and a second portion 110. A second guide path K2 is formed between the first portion 108 and the second portion 110 of the second operating member 106 and communicates with a second support path J2 formed on the second predetermined track 112 of the second operating device 88. When the locking member 30 is in the second predetermined position P2, the rotating portion 94 of the second auxiliary portion 90 locks the second rail 84 of the second slide rail assembly 26 by blocking the second portion 110 of the second operating member 106 to prevent the second rail 84 of the second slide rail assembly 26 from being displaced in the opening direction D1 from a retracted position R relative to the first rail 86 (as shown in Figures 7 and 9).

[0035] Similar to the second rail 44 and third rail 45 of the first slide rail assembly 24, the second rail 84 and third rail 85 of the second slide rail assembly 26 can be displaced synchronously with respect to the first rail 86 by the engagement of corresponding predetermined portions. Therefore, when the locking member 30 is in the second predetermined position P2, the rotating portion 94 of the second auxiliary portion 90, which blocks the second portion 110 of the second operating member 106 of the second operating device 88 on the second rail 84, prevents both the third rail 85 and the second rail 84 of the second slide rail assembly 26 from being displaced from the retracted position R to the opening direction D1 with respect to the first rail 86, thereby achieving locking of both the second rail 84 and the third rail 85 of the second slide rail assembly 26.

[0036] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, if it is desired to release the blocking or locking of the second rail 84 and the third rail 85 of the second slide rail assembly 26, the second rail 44 of the first slide rail assembly 24 can be displaced from the extended position E in the retraction direction D2 to drive the locking member 30, thereby driving it back from the second predetermined position P2 to the first predetermined position P1, in order to prevent the second rail 84 of the second slide rail assembly 26 from being blocked or locked by the rotating part 94 of the second auxiliary part 90 of the locking member 30.

[0037] For example, when the second rail 44 and the third rail 45 of the first slide rail assembly 24 are displaced in the retraction direction D2 from the extended position E, the second guide section 98 of the second part 76 of the first operating member 70 of the first operating device 50 comes into contact with the rotating part 64 of the first auxiliary part 54, driving the locking member 30 and allowing it to move from the second predetermined position P2 in the second height direction H2, opposite to the first height direction H1. When the second rail 44 and third rail 45 of the first slide rail assembly 24 are displaced in the retraction direction D2 from the extended position E and reach the retracted position R, the locking member 30 returns to the first predetermined position P1, thereby preventing the second portion 110 of the second operating member 106 of the second operating device 88 from being blocked by the rotating portion 94 of the second auxiliary portion 90 of the locking member 30, and allowing the second rail 84 and third rail 85 of the second slide rail assembly 26 to be displaced in the opening direction D1 from the retracted position R relative to the first rail 86.

[0038] Furthermore, similar to the first operating member 70, when the second rail 84 of the second slide rail assembly 26 is displaced in the opening direction D1 from a retracted position R relative to the first rail 86, the second operating member 106 of the second operating device 88 contacts the second auxiliary part 90 and drives the locking member 30, moving it from a first predetermined position P1 to a second predetermined position P2. The second predetermined track 112 of the second operating device 88 is configured to support the rotating part 94 of the second auxiliary part 90 on the locking member 30, thereby maintaining the locking member 30 at the second predetermined position P2. When the locking member 30 is in the second predetermined position P2, the rotating part 64 of the first auxiliary part 54 locks the second rail 44 of the first slide rail assembly 24 by blocking the second part 76 of the first operating member 70 of the first operating device 50 to prevent the second rail 44 of the first slide rail assembly 24 from being displaced in the opening direction D1 from the retracted position R relative to the first rail 42.

[0039] Furthermore, similar to the first slide rail assembly 24 and the first auxiliary part 54, the first rail 86 of the second slide rail assembly 26 includes a second space. For example, the second space is an extending hole arranged parallel to the height direction through which the second auxiliary part 90 passes, and is configured to cooperate with a second operating device 88 located on the second rail 84 of the second slide rail assembly 26.

[0040] As shown in Figure 12, unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, when the second rail 202 of the first slide rail assembly 200 and the second rail 208 of the second slide rail assembly 206 are positioned in a recessed position R relative to the first rail 204 of the first slide rail assembly 200 and the first rail 210 of the second slide rail assembly 206, respectively, the first auxiliary part 212 and the second auxiliary part 214 are separated from the first operating device 216 and the second operating device 218 by a predetermined distance G, for example, a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction.

[0041] Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, the first rail 204 of the first slide rail assembly 200 and the first rail 210 of the second slide rail assembly 206 are configured to be attached to the rack 223 by the first bracket 220 and the second bracket 222, respectively. In addition, the third rail 224 of the first slide rail assembly 200 and the third rail 226 of the second slide rail assembly 206 are configured to hold the first electronic device M1 and the second electronic device M2, respectively. That is, the second rail 202 of the first slide rail assembly 200 and the second rail 208 of the second slide rail assembly 206 are configured to support the first electronic device M1 and the second electronic device M2, respectively. More specifically, the third rail 224 of the first slide rail assembly 200 and the third rail 226 of the second slide rail assembly 206 are, for example, inner rails configured to directly support the first electronic device M1 and the second electronic device M2, respectively, while the second rail 202 of the first slide rail assembly 200 and the second rail 208 of the second slide rail assembly 206 may be, for example, intermediate rails configured to indirectly support the first electronic device M1 and the second electronic device M2, respectively.

[0042] The first electronic device M1 and the second electronic device M2 may be, for example, a server or electronic device including a plurality of electronic modules. In addition, as in the first embodiment, the third rail 224 and the second rail 202 of the first slide rail assembly 200 can be displaced synchronously by engagement of corresponding predetermined features, and the third rail 226 and the second rail 208 of the second slide rail assembly 206 can be displaced synchronously by engagement of corresponding predetermined features. Furthermore, each of the first electronic device M1 and the second electronic device M2 includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. In this embodiment, as an example, the first end and the second end of the first electronic device M1 and the second electronic device M2 may be the front end f and the rear end r of the first electronic device M1 and the second electronic device M2, respectively.

[0043] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the second rail 202 and the third rail 224 of the first slide rail assembly 200 are synchronously displaceable by a predetermined distance G in the opening direction D1 from a retracted position R to a working position W relative to the first rail 204 of the first slide rail assembly 200, in order to facilitate maintenance of objects adjacent to the rear end r of the first electronic device M1. Similarly, the second rail 208 and the third rail 226 of the second slide rail assembly 206 are synchronously displaceable by a predetermined distance G in the opening direction D1 from a retracted position R to a working position W relative to the first rail 210 of the second slide rail assembly 206, in order to facilitate maintenance of objects adjacent to the rear end r of the second electronic device M2. For example, a predetermined device for heat dissipation may be provided at the rear end r of the first electronic device M1 and the rear end r of the second electronic device M2, respectively. When the second rail 202 and third rail 224 of the first slide rail assembly 200 are synchronously displaced in the opening direction D1 to reach the working position W, the user can easily perform maintenance on a predetermined device adjacent to the rear end r of the first electronic device M1. When the second rail 208 and third rail 226 of the second slide rail assembly 206 are synchronously displaced in the opening direction D1 to reach the working position W, the user can easily perform maintenance on a predetermined device adjacent to the rear end r of the second electronic device M2. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The second and third rails of the slide rail assembly can be synchronously displaced to the working position for other purposes.

[0044] As shown in Figures 13 to 16, when the second rail 202 of the first slide rail assembly 200 is displaced in the opening direction D1 from the working position W (as shown in Figures 13 and 14) relative to the first rail 204, the first operating member 228 of the first operating device 216 is configured to contact the first auxiliary part 212, for example the rotating part 233 of the first auxiliary part 212, and drive the locking member 230 to move it from a first predetermined position P1 to a second predetermined position P2, and the first predetermined track 232 of the first operating device 216 is configured to support the first auxiliary part 212, for example the rotating part 233 of the first auxiliary part 212 (as shown in Figures 15 and 16), and to maintain the locking member 230 at the second predetermined position P2. When the second rail 202 of the first slide rail assembly 200 is displaced in the opening direction D1 from the working position W relative to the first rail 204, the disengagement structure of the first rail 204 of the first slide rail assembly 200 terminates the synchronous displacement of the third rail 224 and the second rail 202 of the first slide rail assembly 204, allowing the third rail 224 and the second rail 202 to be displaced individually relative to the first rail 204, so that the third rail 224 can reach the fully extended position E', that is, so that the first slide rail assembly 200 can reach the fully extended state (as shown in Figure 15).

[0045] As shown in Figures 15 and 17, when the locking member 230 is in the second predetermined position P2, the second auxiliary part 214, for example, the rotating part 237 of the second auxiliary part 214, is configured to block the second portion 236 of the second operating member 234 of the second operating device 218, for example, to prevent the second rail 208 of the second slide rail assembly 206 from being displaced in the opening direction D1 from the working position W to the fully extended position relative to the first rail 210. Naturally, the working position W is a position between the retracted position R and the fully extended position.

[0046] Unlike the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the second rail 202 of the first slide rail assembly 200, which is displaced in the opening direction D1 relative to the first rail 204, is configured to move from a first predetermined position P1 to a second predetermined position P2 by driving a locking member 230, thereby preventing the second rail 208 of the second slide rail assembly 206 from being displaced in the opening direction D1 from the working position W instead of the retracted position R relative to the first rail 210.

[0047] Other details of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. For simplicity, a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0048] Based on the above, the present invention has the following features.

[0049] 1) In the second embodiment, both the second rail 202 of the first slide rail assembly 200 and the second rail 208 of the second slide rail assembly 206 are displaceable by a predetermined distance G in the opening direction D1 from a retracted position R to a working position W, so that maintenance can be performed on articles located adjacent to the rear end of the second rail 202, the rear end of the second rail 208, the rear end of the first electronic device M1, and the rear end of the second electronic device M2. Furthermore, when one of the second rails 202 of the first slide rail assembly 200 and the second rail 208 of the second slide rail assembly 206 is displaced in the opening direction D1 from the working position W to drive the locking member 230 and move from the first predetermined position P1 to the second predetermined position P2, the other of the second rails 202 of the first slide rail assembly 200 and the second rail 208 of the second slide rail assembly 206 is prevented from being displaced in the opening direction D1 from the working position W, thus providing an interlock function that achieves both ease of maintenance and improved safety.

[0050] 2) In the first embodiment, when one of the second rail 44 of the first slide rail assembly 24 and the second rail 84 of the second slide rail assembly 26 is displaced in the opening direction D1 to drive the locking member 30 and move from a first predetermined position P1 to a second predetermined position P2, the other of the second rail 44 of the first slide rail assembly 24 and the second rail 84 of the second slide rail assembly 26 is prevented from being displaced in the opening direction D1, thus providing an interlock function.

[0051] 3) The rotating portion 64 of the first auxiliary portion 54 on the locking member 30 is configured to rotate and contact the first guide section 96 of the first portion 74 of the first operating member 70 and the first predetermined track 72 of the first operating device 50, thereby preventing wear and damage to the first portion 74 of the first operating member 70 and the first predetermined track 72 of the first operating device 50, thus increasing the reliability of the interlock function of the slide rail mechanism.

[0052] 4) The first predetermined track 72 of the first operating device 50 and the second predetermined track 112 of the second operating device 88 are located on the first side L1' of the second rail 44 of the first slide rail assembly 24 and the first side of the second rail 84 of the second slide rail assembly 26, respectively, and the first predetermined track 72 of the first operating device 50 and the second predetermined track 112 of the second operating device 88 are configured to cooperate with the rotating part 64 of the first auxiliary part 54 and the rotating part 94 of the second auxiliary part 90 on the locking member 30, respectively. Therefore, it is not necessary to place any additional accessories or structures on the corresponding slide rail assemblies to accommodate the corresponding predetermined tracks, for example, the first predetermined track 72 and the second predetermined track 112.

[0053] 5) The locking member 30 is detachably attached to the rack 22, and the position of the locking member 30 relative to the rack 22 can be adjusted according to actual requirements so that the locking member 30 is movable in a first height direction H1 or a second height direction H2 relative to the rack 22 and the first rails of the first slide rail assembly 24, the second slide rail assembly 26, and the third slide rail assembly 28, respectively.

[0054] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications and changes can be made to the apparatus and method while maintaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as being limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A slide rail mechanism, The first slide rail assembly, A second slide rail assembly, wherein each of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly includes a first rail and a second rail displaceable relative to the first rail, A first operating device disposed on the second rail of the first slide rail assembly, the first operating device includes a first operating member and a first predetermined track, A second operating device disposed on the second rail of the second slide rail assembly, the second operating device includes a second operating member and a second predetermined track, A locking member that is movable with respect to the first rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly, A first auxiliary part is disposed on the locking member, A second auxiliary portion is disposed on the locking member, Includes, When the second rails of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly are positioned in a recessed position relative to the first rails of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly, the first auxiliary part and the second auxiliary part are separated by a predetermined distance from the first operating device and the second operating device, respectively. The second rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly are each capable of being displaced a predetermined distance in the opening direction from the retracted position to the working position relative to the first rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly, When the second rail of the first slide rail assembly is displaced from the working position in the opening direction relative to the first rail of the first slide rail assembly, the first operating member of the first operating device is configured to contact the first auxiliary portion and drive the locking member, moving it in the height direction from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position, and the first predetermined track of the first operating device is configured to support the locking member in order to maintain the locking member at the second predetermined position. A slide rail mechanism in which, when the locking member is located in the second predetermined position, the second auxiliary member is configured to block the second operating member and prevent the second rail of the second slide rail assembly from being displaced from the working position in the opening direction relative to the first rail of the second slide rail assembly.

2. The slide rail mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly further includes a third rail, and the second rail of each of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly is movably mounted between the first rail and the third rail of each of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly.

3. The slide rail mechanism according to claim 2, wherein each second rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly includes a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, the first side and the second side of each second rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly face the first rail and the third rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly, respectively, the first operating device is located on the first side of the second rail of the first slide rail assembly, and the second operating device is located on the first side of the second rail of the second slide rail assembly.

4. The slide rail mechanism according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each second rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly includes a first predetermined portion, and each third rail of the first slide rail assembly and the second slide rail assembly includes a second predetermined portion, the first predetermined portion being configured to engage with the corresponding second predetermined portion and to drive the corresponding third rail to displace synchronously with the corresponding second rail.

5. The slide rail mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined track is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second rail of the first slide rail assembly, and the second predetermined track is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second rail of the second slide rail assembly.

6. The slide rail mechanism according to claim 1, wherein each of the first working member and the second working member includes a first portion and a second portion, a first guide path is formed between the first portion and the second portion of the first working member and communicates with a first support path formed in the first predetermined track, and a second guide path is formed between the first portion and the second portion of the second working member and communicates with a second support path formed in the second predetermined track.

7. The slide rail mechanism according to claim 6, wherein each first portion of the first working member and the second working member includes a first guide section, each second portion of the first working member and the second working member includes a second guide section facing each first guide section of the first working member and the second working member, the first guide path is formed between the first guide section of the first portion of the first working member and the second guide section of the second portion, and the second guide path is formed between the first guide section of the first portion of the second working member and the second guide section of the second portion.

8. A slide rail mechanism according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, when the second rail of the first slide rail assembly is displaced in the opening direction relative to the first rail of the first slide rail assembly, the first portion of the first operating member of the first operating device is configured to contact and guide the first auxiliary portion and move along the first guide path in order to move the locking member from a first predetermined position to a second predetermined position in the height direction, and the first predetermined track of the first operating device is configured to support the movement of the first auxiliary portion from the first guide path into the first support path in order to maintain the locking member in the second predetermined position.

9. The slide rail mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first rail of the first slide rail assembly includes a first space, and the first auxiliary part passes through the first space, thereby enabling the first working member to cooperate with the first auxiliary part, and the first rail of the second slide rail assembly includes a second space, and the second auxiliary part passes through the second space, thereby enabling the second working member to cooperate with the second auxiliary part.

10. The present invention further includes a mounting member, a bracket, and a movable member attached to the bracket and positioned between the bracket and the first rail of the first slide rail assembly, The locking member is configured to be detachably attached to the rack by the mounting member, A first limiting portion is provided on one of the rack and the mounting member, and a second limiting portion is provided on the other of the rack and the mounting member, and is configured to cooperate with the first limiting portion to restrict the movement of the locking member relative to the rack within a limited range. The first rail of the first slide rail assembly is configured to be attached to the rack by the bracket, The movable member is movable in the height direction relative to the bracket, The first auxiliary portion is configured to sequentially pass through a predetermined hole in the movable member and a portion of the first space of the first rail of the first slide rail assembly, The slide rail mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 7, wherein the bracket is provided with a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion to restrict the movement of the movable member in the height direction.

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