Slide rail assembly

Abstract

To provide a slide rail assembly capable of sufficiently protecting a push-open mechanism.SOLUTION: A slide rail assembly includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24, a control member 28, an auxiliary member 30, a work member 32 and an elastic structure 34. When the second rail is pulled from a retreat position R with respect to the first rail, the control member and the work member are abutted to each other and generates an acting force V that drives the work member to rotate from a first state S1 to a second state S2. Thus, a control part 52 of the control member is moved from a lock position L with respect to a prescribed path structure 74 of the auxiliary member in order to allow the second rail to open.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 (preceding the characterizing part).

Background Art

[0002] With the progress of industrial technology, slide rail products with various functions are on the market. For example, among slide rail products, there is a slide rail assembly equipped with a push-open mechanism. When a drawer is attached to a cabinet by a slide rail assembly equipped with a push-open mechanism and is in a retracted position relative to the cabinet, a gap is formed between the front panel portion of the drawer and the cabinet in order to enable the push-open mechanism to drive the drawer to be opened relative to the cabinet by pushing the drawer against the cabinet.

[0003] Due to user habits and the user's failure to notice the push-open mechanism, when the drawer is accidentally pulled from the retracted position, the movement of the movable rail of the slide rail assembly attached to the drawer may cause structural damage and / or malfunction of the push-open mechanism. Therefore, the push-open mechanism requires a protection function.

[0004] For example, U.S. Patent No. 8,857,868 (Patent Document 1) discloses a closing device provided with an engaging mechanism. The engaging mechanism includes an engaging block, a positioning hook, and a pin. The engaging block has an abutting surface and a guide surface extending from the abutting surface. The positioning hook is connected to the engaging block and has an elastic portion and a stop extending from the elastic portion. The stop is adjacent to the abutting surface and is located away from the guide surface. The pin is disposed at a position corresponding to the engaging block and slidably abuts against the abutting surface and the stop of the positioning hook. When the movable rail or drawer is pulled to be opened, the pin abuts against the stop and the abutting surface, and the elastic portion elastically deforms so that the pin moves beyond the stop and disengages from the abutting surface, which prevents wear or damage of the engaging hook and achieves the purpose of protection.

[0005] Furthermore, European Patent No. 2,272,400 B1 (Patent Document 2) discloses a locking device adapted to a drawer slide. As shown in FIG. 5A of European Patent No. 2,272,400 B1, the locking device includes a disk having a protrusion, and the protrusion is configured to receive or lock the end of a switching element when the disk is in an initial position. As shown in FIG. 5B of European Patent No. 2,272,400 B1, when the movable rail or drawer is pulled to be opened, the end of the switching element disengages from the protrusion of the disk by the rotational movement of the disk, thereby achieving the protection purpose. Also, after the movable rail or drawer is retracted, the disk can return to the initial position by a spring.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0007] However, in order to meet various requirements, it becomes an important topic to provide an improved slide rail assembly.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a slide rail assembly provided with a push-open mechanism having a protection function.

[0009] This is achieved by the slide rail assembly according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to corresponding further developments and improvements.

[0010] As will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description, the slide rail assembly described in the claims includes a first rail; a second rail displaceable relative to the first rail in a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction; a drive device including an elastic member configured to apply an elastic force in the second direction; a control member movably attached to one of the first rail and the second rail, the control member including a control portion; an auxiliary member disposed on the other of the first rail and the second rail, the auxiliary member including a predetermined path structure; a working member movable relative to the auxiliary member, the working member including a working portion disposed adjacent to the predetermined path structure; and an elastic structure configured to apply a return elastic force to the working member to elastically hold the working member in a first state. When the second rail is in a retracted position relative to the first rail, the control member and the working portion of the working member in the first state block each other, and the control portion of the control member is disposed in a locked position to maintain the elastic force applied by the elastic member. When the second rail is pulled in the second direction from the retracted position relative to the first rail, the control member and the working portion of the working member in the first state abut against each other, generating an acting force for driving the working member to rotate from the first state to the second state, whereby the control portion of the control member is moved from the locked position relative to the predetermined path structure.

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

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] The present invention will be further described below by way of example with reference to the following attached drawings.

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention can be practiced, are referred to in the detailed description of the following preferred embodiments. In this regard, directional terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", etc. are used with reference to the orientation of the illustrated figures. The components of the present invention may be arranged in a number of different directions. Therefore, the directional terms are used for illustrative purposes and are never limiting. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Also, unless specified otherwise, the term "connect" is intended to mean either an indirect or a direct mechanical connection. Therefore, when a first device is connected to a second device, the connection may be by a direct mechanical connection or an indirect mechanical connection via other devices or connections.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slide rail assembly 20 includes a first rail 22, a second rail 24, a driving device 26, a control member 28, an auxiliary member 30, a working member 32, and an elastic structure 34.

[0016] The second rail 24 is displaceable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the first rail 22. Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 may further include a third rail 36, which is movably attached between the first rail 22 and the second rail 24 and extends the displacement of the second rail 24 with respect to the first rail 22. In practice, the first rail 22 may be attached or fixed to the cabinet. The second rail 24 may be configured to support the drawer. Understandably, in another embodiment, the third rail may be omitted.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the drive device 26 is configured to drive the second rail 24 to open (extend, advance, deploy) after the second rail 24 is pushed from the retracted position R to the first direction D1, for example, the retracted direction, with respect to the first rail 22. The drive device 26 includes an elastic member 38. In this embodiment, as an example, the elastic member 38 may be a spring. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The elastic member 38 includes a first end portion 40a and a second end portion 40b on the opposite side from the first end portion 40a. The first end portion 40a of the elastic member 38 is fixed to the first rail 22 by a connecting member 42. A drive member 44 is disposed at the second end portion 40b of the elastic member 38. Preferably, a corresponding member 46 or corresponding portion is disposed on the second rail 24 or the third rail 36 and is disposed at a position corresponding to the drive member 44 so as to cooperate with the drive member 44. In this embodiment, as an example, the corresponding member 46 may be disposed on the third rail 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the corresponding member or corresponding portion may be disposed on the second rail.

[0018] The control member 28 is movably attached to one of the first rail 22 and the second rail 24. In this embodiment, as an example, the control member 28 may be movably attached to the first rail 22. Specifically, the control member 28 may be pivotally connected to the first rail 22 by a shaft 48 so that the control member 28 can pivot with respect to the first rail 22. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, the first rail 22 includes a first restricting feature 50, and the control member 28 includes a second restricting feature 51. One of the first restricting feature 50 and the second restricting feature 51 is an opening or a recess. The other one of the first restricting feature 50 and the second restricting feature 51 is an extended leg portion, and the extended leg portion is configured to extend into the opening or the recess and abut against the wall of the opening or the recess. Thereby, the control member 28 is only allowed to pivot with respect to the first rail 22 within a limited range. In this embodiment, as an example, the first restricting feature 50 may be an opening. The second restricting feature 51 may be an extended leg portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0019] The control member 28 includes a control unit 52. In this embodiment, as an example, the control unit 52 may be a protrusion or a pin. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0020] Preferably, the first rail 22 includes a front end portion 54a and a rear end portion 54b, and the control member 28 is disposed adjacent to the front end portion 54a of the first rail 22.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the auxiliary member 30 is disposed on one of the first rail 22 and the second rail 24 where the control member 28 is not disposed. In this embodiment, as an example, the auxiliary member 30 may be disposed on the second rail 24. Preferably, the auxiliary member 30 may be directly or indirectly connected to the second rail 24. The second rail 24 includes a front end portion 56a and a rear end portion 56b, and the auxiliary member 30 is disposed on the second rail 24 and adjacent to the front end portion 56a of the second rail 24.

[0022] The working member 32 is movable relative to the auxiliary member 30. In this embodiment, as an example, the working member 32 may be movably attached to the auxiliary member 30.

[0023] The elastic structure 34 is configured to apply a return elastic force K to the working member 32 in order to elastically hold the working member 32 in the first state S1 shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, as an example, the elastic structure 34 may be a leaf spring. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the elastic structure may be a spring or any other elastically deformable object, such as a rubber cylinder.

[0024] Preferably, the auxiliary member 30 is configured to provide a movement space M for the working member 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the movement space M penetrates through the first portion 58 and the second portion 60 of the auxiliary member 30.

[0025] The working member 32 includes a working part 66. Preferably, the working member 32 further includes a main body part 62 and an extension section 64. The extension section 64 extends from the main body part 62. The working part 66 protrudes from the surface 67 of the main body part 62. As shown in FIG. 4, the main body part 62 and the extension section 64 are arranged adjacent to the first part 58 of the auxiliary member 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the working part 66 passes through the movement space M and is located adjacent to the second part 60 of the auxiliary member 30.

[0026] Preferably, the auxiliary member 30 is further configured to provide an auxiliary receiving space Q for receiving the elastic structure 34. The auxiliary receiving space Q is arranged adjacent to the movement space M. The elastic structure 34 includes a first predetermined part 68 and a second predetermined part 70. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first predetermined part 68 is configured to abut against the wall 72 of the auxiliary member 30, and the second predetermined part 70 is configured to abut against the extension section 64 of the working member 32.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the auxiliary member 30 includes a predetermined path structure 74, and the working part 66 of the working member 32 is arranged adjacent to the predetermined path structure 74.

[0028] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, the working part 66 of the working member 32 is a heart-shaped protrusion and is surrounded by the predetermined path structure 74. The predetermined path structure 74 includes an entry section 76a and a release section 76b communicating with the entry section 76a. The working part 66 of the working member 32 is located between the entry section 76a and the release section 76b.

[0029] Preferably, the auxiliary member 30 further includes a guide section 78. In this embodiment, by way of example, the guide section 78 may be an inclined surface or an arc surface. The working part 66 of the working member 32 further includes an abutting section 80.

[0030] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3 or 5, the surface 67 of the main body part 62 of the working member 32 is formed substantially in a circular shape.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, when the second rail 24 is in the retracted position R with respect to the first rail 22, the control member 28 and the working portion 66 of the working member 32 in the first state S1 can block each other. In order to maintain the elastic force J applied by the elastic member 38 in the second direction D2, for example, the opening direction, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 is arranged at the locking position L. Here, the second direction D2 is opposite to the first direction D1.

[0032] Preferably, when the second rail 24 is in the retracted position R with respect to the first rail 22, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 and the abutting section 80 of the working portion 66 of the working member 32 in the first state S1 block each other, whereby the control member 28 and the working portion 66 of the working member 32 in the first state S1 block each other. Therefore, in order to maintain the elastic force J applied by the elastic member 38 in the second direction D2 by blocking the control portion 52 of the control member 28 and the abutting section 80 of the working portion 66 of the working member 32, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 is arranged at the locking position L. Further, a locking space X is defined between the guide section 78 and the abutting section 80 and is configured to receive the control portion 52 of the control member 28.

[0033] Preferably, an offset angle A is formed between the abutting section 80 and an extension line passing through the center 82 of the working member 32, for example, the center of the main body portion 62 of the working member 32, and an extension line passing through the center 82 of the working member 32 in the first direction D1 or the second direction D2.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, when the second rail 24 is pushed from the retracted position R to the first direction D1 with respect to the first rail 22 by the first force F1, the auxiliary member 30 guides the control portion 52 of the control member 28 and moves it from the locked position L with respect to the predetermined path structure 74. Thereby, the elastic member 38 can drive the second rail 24 to open in the second direction D2 with respect to the first rail 22 by the elastic force J until, for example, the second rail 24 is displaced to the extended position E. In other words, the slide rail assembly 20 is configured to provide a push-open mechanism that allows the second rail 24 to be opened in the second direction D2 with respect to the first rail 22 by pushing the second rail 24 from the retracted position R to the first direction D1.

[0035] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 7, when the second rail 24 is pushed from the retracted position R to the first direction D1 with respect to the first rail 22 by the first force F1, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 and the guide section 78 of the auxiliary member 30 abut against each other. Thereby, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 is guided by the guide section 78 and moves from the locked position L into the release section 76b of the predetermined path structure 74, so that the elastic member 38 can drive the second rail 24 to open in the second direction D2. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second end portion 40b of the elastic member 38 can push the corresponding member 46 on the third rail 36 by the driving member 44 to drive the third rail 36 and the second rail 24 to open in the second direction D2.

[0036] Preferably, the auxiliary member 30 further includes a guide feature 84. In this embodiment, as an example, the guide feature 84 may be an inclined surface or an arc surface. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, while the second rail 24 is displaced in the second direction D2 in response to the elastic force J applied by the elastic member 38, when the guide feature 84 abuts against the control portion 52 of the control member 28, the auxiliary member 30 drives the control portion 52 of the control member 28 and moves it to a position corresponding to the entry section 76a of the auxiliary member 30 from the predetermined path structure 74, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Therefore, while the second rail 24 is displaced from the extended position E to the retracted position R in the first direction D1, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 can return to the locked position L shown in FIG. 6 by entering the predetermined path structure 74 through the entry section 76a.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, when the second rail 24 is pulled in the second direction D2 relative to the first rail 22 from the retracted position R by the second force F2, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 and the working portion 66 of the working member 32 abut against each other, generating an acting force V that drives the working member 32 to rotate from the first state S1 to the second state S2 shown in FIG. 10. To enable the second rail 24 to be released in the second direction D2, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 is moved from the locked position L relative to the predetermined path structure 74.

[0038] Preferably, when the second rail 24 is pulled in the second direction D2 from the retracted position R with respect to the first rail 22 by the second force F2, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 and the working portion 66 of the working member 32 abut against each other, and drive the working member 32 to easily generate an acting force V for rotating from the first state S1 shown in FIG. 6 to the second state S2 shown in FIG. 10 by the offset angle A. In order to enable the second rail 24 to be easily released in the second direction D2, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 can be driven by the working portion 66 of the working member 32 to move from the locked position L with respect to the predetermined path structure 74. Moreover, the working portion 66 of the working member 32 further includes a guide surface 55 disposed adjacent to the abutting section 80. The control portion 52 of the control member 28 includes a guide contour 59. In this embodiment, as an example, the guide surface 55 may be an inclined surface or an arc surface. The guide contour 59 may be formed in a circular shape or an arc shape. When the second rail 24 is pulled in the second direction D2 from the retracted position R with respect to the first rail 22 by the second force F2, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 and the working portion 66 of the working member 32 abut against each other, and an acting force V can be generated by the cooperation of the guide surface 55 and the guide contour 59. Thereby, not only the rotational movement of the working member 32 from the first state S1 shown in FIG. 6 to the second state S2 shown in FIG. 10 is facilitated, but also the movement of the control portion 52 of the control member 28 into the release section 76b of the predetermined path structure 74 from the locked position L is facilitated.

[0039] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the working member 32 is in the second state S2, the elastic structure 34 is elastically deformed. Therefore, when the second rail 24 is displaced from the retracted position R to a predetermined position, for example, the extended position E, in the second direction D2 with respect to the first rail 22, the working member 32 can return from the second state S2 shown in FIG. 10 to the first state S1 shown in FIG. 9 in response to the return elastic force K applied by the elastic structure 34.

[0040] As described above, when the second rail 24 is in the retracted position R with respect to the first rail 22, the second rail 24 can be normally released by pushing the second rail 24 in the first direction D1. However, when the second rail 24 is inappropriately pulled in the second direction D2, the control part 52 of the control member 28 can move from the locked position L into the release section 76b of a predetermined path structure 74 due to the rotational movement of the auxiliary member 30 of the working member 32 from the first state S1 to the second state S2. This prevents the working part 66 of the working member 32 and / or the control part 52 of the control member 28 from being worn or damaged due to friction or collision, achieving the purpose of protection.

[0041] In summary, the slide rail assembly 20 has the following characteristics.

[0042] 1. When the second rail 24 is pulled in the second direction D2 from the retracted position R with respect to the first rail 22 by the second force F2, the control part 52 of the control member 28 and the working part 66 of the working member 32 can abut against each other to generate an acting force V that drives the working member 32 to move from the first state S1 to the second state S2. Thereby, in order to enable the second rail 24 to be released in the second direction D2, the control part 52 of the control member 28 is moved from the locked position L into the release section 76b of the predetermined path structure 74. The rotational movement of the working member 32 enables the control part 52 of the control member 28 to move from the locked position L, preventing the working part 66 of the working member 32 and / or the control part 52 of the control member 28 from being worn or damaged due to friction or collision.

[0043] 2. When the second rail 24 is displaced from the retracted position R to a predetermined position, for example, the extended position E, in response to the return elastic force K provided by the elastic structure 34, the working member 32 can return from the second state S2 shown in FIG. 10 to the first state S1 shown in FIG. 9.

[0044] 3. When the second rail 24 is pulled in the second direction D2 from the retracted position R with respect to the first rail 22 by the second force F2, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 and the working portion 66 of the working member 32 can abut against each other, and drive the working member 32 to easily generate an acting force V that rotates the working member 32 from the first state S1 shown in FIG. 6 to the second state S2 shown in FIG. 10 by the offset angle A. In order to enable the second rail 24 to be easily released in the second direction D2, the control portion 52 of the control member 28 can be driven by the working portion 66 of the working member 32 to move from the locked position L with respect to the predetermined path structure 74.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that numerous modifications and changes to the apparatus and method are possible while maintaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure is to be construed as being limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A first rail, A second rail displaceable relative to the first rail in a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction, A drive device including an elastic member configured to apply an elastic force in the second direction, A control member movably attached to the first rail, the control member including a control part, An auxiliary member disposed on the second rail, the auxiliary member including a predetermined path structure, A working member movable relative to the auxiliary member, the working member including a working part disposed adjacent to the predetermined path structure, An elastic structure configured to apply a restoring elastic force to the working member to elastically hold the working member in a first state, When the second rail is in a retracted position relative to the first rail, the control member and the working part of the working member in the first state block each other, and the control part of the control member is placed in a locked position to maintain the elastic force applied by the elastic member, When the second rail is pulled in the second direction from the retracted position relative to the first rail, the control member and the working part of the working member in the first state abut against each other, generating an acting force to drive the working member to rotate from the first state to a second state, whereby the control part of the control member is moved from the locked position relative to the predetermined path structure to enable the second rail to be opened in the second direction, Furthermore, A main body part formed on the working member and having a surface at least partially circular, A moving space formed on the auxiliary member and configured to correspond to the surface at least partially circular, and pivotally supporting the main body part to rotate the working member between the first state and the second state, a slide rail assembly.

2. The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control member is pivotally connected to the first rail by a shaft.

3. Furthermore, a third rail movably attached between the first rail and the second rail, the slide rail assembly according to claim 1, the third rail being configured to extend the displacement of the second rail relative to the first rail.

4. The predetermined path structure includes an entry section and a release section communicating with the entry section. The working part of the working member is located between the entry section and the release section. The auxiliary member further includes a guiding feature. In response to the elastic force applied by the elastic member, while the second rail is displaced in the second direction, the guiding feature abuts against the control part of the control member, so that the auxiliary member drives the control part of the control member to move from the predetermined path structure to a position corresponding to the entry section of the auxiliary member. While the second rail is displaced to the retracted position in the first direction, the control part of the control member returns to the locked position by entering the predetermined path structure through the entry section. The slide rail assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When the second rail is pushed in the first direction from the retracted position relative to the first rail, the auxiliary member guides the control part of the control member to move from the locked position relative to the predetermined path structure, and the elastic member enables the second rail to be driven by the elastic force to open in the second direction. The auxiliary member further includes a guiding section. When the second rail is pushed in the first direction from the retracted position relative to the first rail, the control part of the control member is guided by the guiding section to move from the locked position into the release section of the predetermined path structure, and the elastic member enables the second rail to be driven to open in the second direction. The slide rail assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The working part of the working member includes an abutting section. An offset angle is formed between an extension line passing through the abutting section and the center of the working member and an extension line passing through the center of the working member in the first direction or the second direction. When the control part of the control member is in the locked position, the control part of the control member abuts against the abutting section. When the second rail is in the retracted position relative to the first rail, the control member and the working portion of the working member in the first state block each other, and the control portion of the control member and the abutting section are blocked. In order to maintain the elastic force applied by the elastic member, the control portion of the control member is arranged at the locking position. When the second rail is pulled in the second direction from the retracted position relative to the first rail, the control portion of the control member and the working portion of the working member in the first state abut against each other, and due to the offset angle, a driving force is generated to drive the working member to rotate from the first state to the second state. Thereby, in order to enable the second rail to be opened in the second direction, the control portion of the control member is moved from the locking position into the release section of the predetermined path structure. The slide rail assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The working member returns from the second state to the first state in response to the return elastic force applied by the elastic structure. The slide rail assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The auxiliary member further includes a guide section, and the working portion further includes an abutting section. A locking space is defined between the guide section and the abutting section and is configured to receive the control portion of the control member. The slide rail assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images