Slide rail assembly and slide rail

Abstract

To provide a slide rail assembly that can improve structural strength, and a slide rail thereof.SOLUTION: A slide rail assembly comprises a first rail and a second rail. The first rail includes a first wall, a second wall, and a first intermediate wall connected between the first wall and the second wall. The second rail includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and a second intermediate wall connected between the first side wall and the second side wall. The first intermediate wall is arranged with a first ball groove. The second rail also includes an extension wall. The extension wall includes 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 is extended from the first side wall. The second extension section is extended toward the second intermediate wall. The first intermediate section is formed with a second ball groove. At least one rolling member is arranged between the first ball groove and the second ball groove.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] US Patent 9894993B2 discloses a three-part slide rail assembly with enhanced support capabilities, 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 opposite sides 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 opposite sides of the second longitudinal body 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 extend 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 that faces 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 first side wall, a second side wall, and a second intermediate wall connected between the first side wall and the second side wall. a first intermediate wall of the first rail formed with a first ball groove, and the second rail further includes a first extension wall; the first extension wall includes 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 a first side wall of the second rail, and the second extension section extends toward a second intermediate wall of the second rail, and the first intermediate section is formed with a second ball groove; and 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 includes a first side wall; a second side wall; and an intermediate wall connected between the first side wall and the second side wall; the slide 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 first side wall, the second extension section extends toward the intermediate wall, and the first intermediate section is formed with a ball groove; the slide 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; the third extension section extends from the second side wall, the fourth extension section extends toward the intermediate wall, and the second intermediate section is formed with a ball groove.

[0007] These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those skilled in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

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

[0009] 1 and 2, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22, a slide auxiliary device 24, and a second rail 26. In this embodiment, 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 passageway 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 first side wall 36a, a second side wall 36b, and a second intermediate wall 38 connected between the first side wall 36a and the second side wall 36b.

[0013] The first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22 is formed with 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 first side wall 36a of the second rail 26. One end 46a of the second extension section 46 extends toward the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26. The first intermediate section 48 is formed with a second ball groove 50. The first rolling member 34 is located between the first ball groove 40 and the second ball groove 50.

[0014] 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 first side wall 36a of the second rail 26 to prevent the second rail 26 from dislodging from the passage 32 of the first rail 22.

[0015] Preferably, the first extension section 44 is folded back from the first side wall 36a of the second rail 26, and the first extension section 44 is configured to abut against the first side wall 36a of the second rail 26. The first intermediate section 48 is adjacent to the first side wall 36a of the second rail 26. For example, a portion of the first intermediate section 48 is configured to abut against the first side wall 36a of the second rail 26. One end 46a of the second extension section 46 is configured to abut against the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26.

[0016] Preferably, the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26 has a first end E1 which extends in the first direction D1, beyond the center position C1 of the first rolling member 34, toward the second support section K2 of the first rail 22.

[0017] Preferably, the first rail 22 further includes a first arcuate portion 52 curved relative to the first intermediate wall 30. The first arcuate portion 52 is formed with the first ball groove 40, and the second ball groove 50 of the first intermediate section 48 of the second rail 26 has an arcuate profile (in cross-section). The first rolling member 34 contacts between the first ball groove 40 and the arcuate profile of the second ball groove 50 of the first intermediate section 48.

[0018] Preferably, the first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22 has a first surface S1 and a second surface S2 that are opposite to each other. The first surface S1 faces the second rail 26. The first arc portion 52 includes a first shoulder section 43a, a second shoulder section 43b, and a valley section 45 located between the first shoulder section 43a and the second shoulder section 43b. The shoulder sections 43a and 43b 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.

[0019] Preferably, the slide assist device 24 further includes a second rolling member 54. In this embodiment, the second rolling member 54 is a ball, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Preferably, the retainer 35 is configured to mount the second rolling member 54. Furthermore, the first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22 is formed with a third ball groove 56, and the second rail 26 further includes a second extension wall 58. The second extension wall 58 includes a third extension section 60, a fourth extension section 62, and a second intermediate section 64 connected between the third extension section 60 and the fourth extension section 62. The third extension section 60 is extended from the second side wall 36b of the second rail 26. One end 62a of the fourth extension section 62 is extended toward the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26. The second intermediate section 64 is formed with a fourth ball groove 66. The second rolling member 54 is located between the third ball groove 56 and the fourth ball groove 66 .

[0020] 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 second side wall 36b of the second rail 26 to prevent the second rail 26 from moving out of the passage 32 of the first rail 22. The second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26 has a second end E2 opposite to the first end E1, and the second end E2 extends in a second direction D2 beyond the center position C2 of the second rolling member 54 toward the fourth support section K4 of the first rail 22. The second direction D2 is opposite to the first direction D1.

[0021] Preferably, the third extension section 60 is folded back from the second side wall 36b of the second rail 26, and the third extension section 60 is configured to abut against the second side wall 36b of the second rail 26. The second intermediate section 64 is adjacent to the second side wall 36b of the second rail 26. For example, a portion of the second intermediate section 64 is configured to abut against the second side wall 36b of the second rail 26. One end 62a of the fourth extension section 62 is configured to abut against the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26.

[0022] Preferably, the first rail 22 further includes a second arcuate portion 68 that is curved relative to the first intermediate wall 30. The second arcuate portion 68 is formed with the third ball groove 56, and the fourth ball groove 66 of the second intermediate section 64 of the second rail 26 has an arcuate profile (in cross-section). The second rolling member 54 makes contact between the third ball groove 56 and the arcuate profile of the fourth ball groove 66 of the second intermediate section 64.

[0023] Preferably, the second arc portion 68 includes a first shoulder section 53a, a second shoulder section 53b, and a valley section 55 located between the first shoulder section 53a and the second shoulder section 53b. The shoulder sections 53a, 53b protrude or rise relative to 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 54 located between the third ball groove 56 and the fourth ball groove 66.

[0024] Furthermore, the second rail 26 is configured to carry an article (not shown) thereon, and the article is configured to apply forces F1 and F2 to two sides of the second rail 26 by gravity. When the first force F1 is applied to a position adjacent to the first end E1 of the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26, the second extension section 46 is extended toward the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26 (so as to abut against the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26), thereby improving the structural strength or support strength of the entire second rail 26 (or the slide rail assembly 20). Furthermore, the first end E1 of the second intermediate wall 38 is extended in the first direction D1 beyond the center position C1 of the first rolling member 34, thereby preventing the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26 from being deformed or damaged by the first force F1, and further improving the structural strength or support strength of the entire second rail 26 (or the slide rail assembly 20). Furthermore, by folding back the first extension section 44 from the first side wall 36a of the second rail 26 in a state where the first extension section 44 abuts against the first side wall 36a of the second rail 26, the structural strength or support strength of the entire second rail 26 (or the slide rail assembly 20) can be further improved. Furthermore, by configuring the first arc portion 52 of the first rail 22 so as to be bent relative to the first intermediate wall 30 for reinforcement, the structural strength or support strength of the entire first rail 22 (or the slide rail assembly 20) can be further improved. Furthermore, by configuring the first shoulder section 43a and the second shoulder section 43b of the first arc portion 52 so as to protrude or rise relative to the first surface S1 of the first intermediate wall 30, the structural strength of the first rail 22 (the first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22) can be improved, and the stability of the first rolling member 34 located between the first ball groove 40 and the second ball groove 50 can be further improved.

[0025] Similarly, when a second force F2 is applied to a position adjacent to the second end E2 of the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26, the structural strength or support strength of the entire second rail 26 (or the slide rail assembly 20) can be improved by extending the fourth extension section 62 toward the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26 (so as to abut against the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26). Furthermore, by extending the second end E2 of the second intermediate wall 38 in the second direction D2 beyond the center position C2 of the second rolling member 54, the second intermediate wall 38 of the second rail 26 can be prevented from being deformed or damaged by the second force F2, and the structural strength or support strength of the entire second rail 26 (or the slide rail assembly 20) can be further improved. Furthermore, by folding back the third extension section 60 from the second side wall 36b of the second rail 26 in a state where the third extension section 60 abuts against the second side wall 36b of the second rail 26, the structural strength or support strength of the entire second rail 26 (or the slide rail assembly 20) can be further improved. Furthermore, by configuring the second arc portion 68 of the first rail 22 so as to be bent relative to the first intermediate wall 30 for reinforcement, the structural strength or support strength of the entire first rail 22 (or the slide rail assembly 20) can be further improved. Furthermore, by configuring the first shoulder section 53a and the second shoulder section 53b of the second arc portion 68 so as to protrude or rise relative to the first surface S1 of the first intermediate wall 30, the structural strength of the first rail 22 (the first intermediate wall 30 of the first rail 22) can be improved, and the stability of the second rolling member 54 located between the third ball groove 56 and the fourth ball groove 66 can be further improved.

[0026] Further, the embodiment of the present invention provides a slide rail, namely the same as the second rail 26. The second rail 26 has the above-mentioned structural configuration. Reference is made to the structural configuration of the second rail 26 shown in Fig. 2 and the related description. For the sake of simplicity, further illustration is not provided.

[0027] Therefore, the slide rail assembly 20 and its slide rails (such as the second rail 26) provided by the embodiments of the present invention can have better structural strength or support strength due to the above-mentioned technical features.

[0028] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that numerous modifications and variations of the apparatus and method are possible while retaining the teachings of this 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; a second rail movable relative to the first rail, the second rail including a first side wall, a second side wall, and a second intermediate wall connected between the first side wall and the second side wall; the first intermediate wall of the first rail is formed with a first ball groove, and the second rail further includes a first extension wall; The first extension wall includes 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 first side wall of the second rail, the second extension section extends toward the second intermediate wall of the second rail, 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, a first extension section configured to fold back from the first side wall of the second rail, and a second extension section configured to abut against the second intermediate wall of the second rail.

2. the first wall of the first rail has a first support section and a second support section angled relative to the first support section, the second support section configured to hold the first side wall of the second rail; 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the second intermediate wall of the second rail has a first end, the first end extending beyond a center position of the first rolling member toward the second support section of the first rail.

3. 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the first rail further includes a first arcuate portion curved relative to the first intermediate wall, the first arcuate portion being formed with the first ball groove, and the first intermediate section of the second rail having an arcuate profile.

4. 2. The slide rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the second wall of the first rail includes a third support section and a fourth support section angled relative to the third support section, the fourth support section configured to retain the second side wall of the second rail.

5. The slide assist device further includes a second rolling member, the first intermediate wall of the first rail is further formed with a third ball groove, and the second rail further includes a second extension wall; the second extension wall includes a third extension section, a fourth extension section, and a second intermediate section connected between the third extension section and the fourth extension section, the third extension section extends from the second side wall of the second rail, the fourth extension section extends toward the second middle wall of the second rail, and the second middle section is formed with a fourth ball groove; 5. The slide rail assembly of claim 4, wherein said second rolling member is located between said third ball groove and said fourth ball groove.

6. 6. The slide rail assembly of claim 5, wherein the second intermediate wall of the second rail has a second end, the second end extending beyond a center position of the second rolling member toward the fourth support section of the first rail.

7. the third extension section is folded back from the second side wall of the second rail, and the fourth extension section is configured to abut against the second intermediate wall of the second rail; 7. The slide rail assembly of claim 6, wherein the first rail further includes a second arcuate portion curved relative to the first intermediate wall, the second arcuate portion being formed with the third ball groove, and the second intermediate section of the second rail having an arcuate profile.

8. A first side wall; A second side wall; a middle wall connected between the first side wall and the second side wall, The slide rail further comprises 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 first side wall, the second extension section extends toward the middle wall, and the first middle section is formed with a ball groove; The slide 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; the third extension section extends from the second side wall, the fourth extension section extends toward the middle wall, and the second middle section is formed with a ball groove; The first extension section is configured to be folded back from the first side wall, and the second extension section is configured to abut against the intermediate wall, The third extension section is configured to be folded back from the second side wall, and the fourth extension section is configured to abut against the intermediate wall.

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