Slide rail assembly

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail mechanism, and more particularly to a slide rail assembly capable of applying resistance to stop or decelerate the movement of a rail that moves in a predetermined direction with respect to another rail.

Background Art

[0002] Chinese Utility Model Publication No. CN219331097U discloses a ball slide rail with a buffer rebound mechanism. This includes an outer slide rail, an inner slide rail, and an intermediate slide rail disposed between the outer slide rail and the inner slide rail. A limiter mechanism is provided between the outer slide rail and the intermediate slide rail, and also between the inner slide rail and the intermediate slide rail. This utility model document is characterized by comprising a first blocking mechanism disposed between the outer slide rail and the intermediate slide rail and having a buffer rebound function, and a second blocking mechanism disposed between the inner slide rail and the intermediate slide rail and having a buffer rebound function.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention provides a slide rail assembly capable of applying resistance to stop or decelerate the movement of a rail that moves in a predetermined direction with respect to another rail.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the slide rail assembly an outer rail, an intermediate rail movable with respect to the outer rail, and an inner rail movable with respect to the intermediate rail, the intermediate rail is movably attached between the outer rail and the inner rail, one of the inner rail and the intermediate rail is configured with a first predetermined feature portion, and the outer rail is configured with a second predetermined feature portion, In the process in which one of the inner rails and intermediate rails is moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail, the first predetermined feature portion and the second predetermined feature portion are configured to contact each other in order to decelerate the movement of the one of the inner rails and intermediate rails in the predetermined direction relative to the outer rail. The slide rail assembly is further equipped with a synchronization mechanism configured to enable the inner rail and the intermediate rail to move synchronously relative to the outer rail in a predetermined direction.

[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the slide rail assembly is It comprises a first rail and a second rail that are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, The first rail is configured with a first predetermined feature portion, and the second rail is configured with a second predetermined feature portion. In the process of the first rail being moved in a predetermined direction relative to the second rail, the first predetermined feature portion and the second predetermined feature portion are configured to come into contact with each other in order to decelerate the movement of the first rail in the predetermined direction relative to the second rail.

[0006] After reading the following detailed description relating to preferred embodiments shown in various figures and drawings, these and other objects of the present invention will be obvious without doubt to those skilled in the art. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows a slide rail assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded view of a slide rail assembly comprising an outer rail, an intermediate rail, and an inner rail, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the inner rail and the intermediate rail are able to move synchronously with respect to the outer rail in a predetermined direction via a synchronization mechanism. [Figure 4]This figure shows a slide rail assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, configured to be attached to a rack such that the inner rail and the intermediate rail are movable relative to the outer rail in a predetermined direction. [Figure 5] This figure shows a state in which the inner rail and the intermediate rail are moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows a state in which the inner rail and the intermediate rail are further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows a state in which the inner rail and the intermediate rail are further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is an exploded view of a slide rail assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows a retracted slide rail assembly configured to be attached to a rack, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the intermediate rail and the inner rail are moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail. [Figure 11] This figure shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the intermediate rail and the inner rail are further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail. [Figure 12] This figure shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the intermediate rail and the inner rail are further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail. [Figure 13] This figure shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the intermediate rail and the inner rail are further moved in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the slide rail assembly 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises at least two slide rails. In this embodiment, the slide rail assembly 20 is a three-part slide rail assembly. Specifically, the slide rail assembly 20 comprises an outer rail 22, an inner rail 24, and an intermediate rail 26, the intermediate rail 26 being movably mounted between the outer rail 22 and the inner rail 24. The outer rail 22, the inner rail 24, and the intermediate rail 26 are movable longitudinally relative to each other. In this embodiment, the X-axis is the longitudinal direction (or the length direction or movement direction of the slide rail), the Y-axis is the transverse direction (or the lateral direction of the slide rail), and the Z-axis is the vertical direction (or the height direction of the slide rail).

[0009] Preferably, the slide rail assembly 20 further includes a first bracket 30 (such as a front bracket) and a second bracket 32 ​​(such as a rear bracket) attached to the rear side of the outer rail 22. The first bracket 30 and the second bracket 32 ​​are relatively movable in the longitudinal direction relative to each other. The outer rail 22 is configured to be attached to a rack via a first mounting member 34 of the first bracket 30 and a second mounting member 36 of the second bracket 32. Preferably, at least one of the first bracket 30 and the second bracket 32 ​​is formed with at least one ventilation hole H. In this embodiment, the first bracket 30 and / or the second bracket 32 ​​are formed with a plurality of ventilation holes H, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the inner rail 24 is configured to transport articles (such as electronic devices). The ventilation holes H of the first bracket 30 or the second bracket 32 ​​are configured to dissipate heat from the articles being transported.

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

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

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

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

[0014] Preferably, the auxiliary member 46 is disposed adjacent to the second end 26b of the intermediate rail 26.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the inner rail 24 and the intermediate rail 26 are configured to move synchronously in a predetermined direction D1 with respect to the outer rail 22 via a synchronization mechanism. Specifically, the working feature portion 54 and the auxiliary portion 52 of the auxiliary member 46 are configured to engage with each other, whereby the inner rail 24 and the intermediate rail 26 are configured to be movable synchronously with respect to the outer rail 22 in a predetermined direction D1 (for example, the opening direction). The first predetermined feature portion 38 and the second predetermined feature portion 40 are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction by a predetermined longitudinal distance.

[0016] Preferably, the outer rail 22 is further configured with at least one blocking portion 56. The at least one blocking portion 56 is disposed adjacent to the second end portion 22b of the outer rail 22 to block the second end portion 26b of the intermediate rail 26, preventing the intermediate rail 26 from moving in another predetermined direction D2 (for example, the retracting direction) opposite to the predetermined direction D1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0023] As shown in Figure 8, the present invention relates to a second embodiment, in which the slide rail assembly 200 comprises an outer rail 202, an inner rail 204, and an intermediate rail 206, the intermediate rail 206 being movably mounted between the outer rail 202 and the inner rail 204. The first embodiment has a first predetermined feature portion 38 and a second predetermined feature portion 40 arranged on the inner rail 24 and the outer rail 22, respectively, but unlike the first embodiment, the second embodiment has a first predetermined feature portion 208 and a second predetermined feature portion 210 arranged on the intermediate rail 206 and the outer rail 204, respectively.

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

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

[0026] As shown in Figures 10 to 13, in the process of the intermediate rail 206 being moved in a predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 22 (moving in synchronously with the inner rail 204), the first predetermined feature portion 208 and the second predetermined feature portion 210 are configured to come into contact with each other in order to decelerate the movement of the intermediate rail 206 in the predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 202.

[0027] Specifically, during the process in which the intermediate rail 206 is moved in a predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 202, the first guide surface 212a of the first predetermined feature portion 208 and the first guide structure 218a of the second predetermined feature portion 210 are configured to come into contact with each other to provide resistance to the intermediate rail 206 (as shown in Figure 10). If the movement of the intermediate rail 206 in the predetermined direction D1 is very slow, or if the force applied to the inner rail 204 in the predetermined direction D1 is less than the resistance, the inner rail 206 is configured to stop at a temporary position K1 due to the resistance (as shown in Figure 10).

[0028] Furthermore, if the intermediate rail 206 moves faster in the predetermined direction D1, or if the force applied to the inner rail 204 in the predetermined direction D1 is greater than the resistance, the intermediate rail 206 is configured to move further in the predetermined direction D1 from a temporary position K1 relative to the outer rail 22. During this intermediate rail 206 movement process, the first surface 228 of the first predetermined feature portion 208 and the second surface 230 of the second predetermined feature portion 210 are configured to be in contact with each other in order to provide resistance to the intermediate rail 206 through friction. Meanwhile, the first predetermined feature portion 208 is pressed by the second predetermined feature portion 210 and has accumulated a predetermined elastic force F (shown in Figure 11). When the second predetermined feature portion 210 is in a position corresponding to the working space 216, the first predetermined feature portion 208 is configured to release the predetermined elastic force F, thereby configuring the second predetermined feature portion 208 to extend into the working space 216 (shown in Figure 12). Therefore, the intermediate rail 206 is configured to stop at a predetermined position K2. In other words, the intermediate rail 206 stops at a predetermined position K2 relative to the outer rail 202.

[0029] As the intermediate rail 206 is moved further from its predetermined position K2 in a predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 202, the first guide structure 218a of the second predetermined feature section 210 is configured to assist the inner wall W of the working space 216 in passing over the second predetermined feature section 210 in the predetermined direction D1 (as shown in Figure 12). As a result, the entire first predetermined feature section 208 can be moved further in the predetermined direction D1 to cross the second predetermined feature section 210 (as shown in Figure 13).

[0030] Accordingly, the first predetermined feature portion 208 and the second predetermined feature portion 210 are configured to contact each other and provide resistance to the intermediate rail 206 by friction, thereby slowing down the movement of the intermediate rail 206 in a predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 202, avoiding impacts caused by excessively fast movement speeds of the intermediate rail 206 and / or the inner rail 204 (and the articles being transported by the inner rail 204) in a predetermined direction D1, thereby improving safety and / or protection. In addition, after the first predetermined feature portion 208 crosses over the second predetermined feature portion 210 in a predetermined direction D1 (as shown in Figure 13), the inner rail 204 and the intermediate rail 206 are configured to move synchronously in a predetermined direction D1 relative to the outer rail 202 via a synchronization mechanism. Such a synchronization mechanism is substantially identical to the synchronization mechanism of the first embodiment, and further illustrations are omitted for simplicity.

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

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

[0033] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that numerous modifications and changes to the apparatus and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure shall be construed as being limited only to the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Outer rail and An intermediate rail that is movable relative to the outer rail, It comprises an inner rail that is movable relative to the intermediate rail, The intermediate rail is movably mounted between the outer rail and the inner rail. One of the inner rail and the intermediate rail is configured with a first predetermined feature portion, and the outer rail is configured with a second predetermined feature portion. In the process of moving one of the inner rails and intermediate rails in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail, the first predetermined feature portion and the second predetermined feature portion are configured to contact each other in order to decelerate the movement of the one of the inner rails and intermediate rails in the predetermined direction relative to the outer rail. The slide rail assembly further includes a synchronization mechanism configured to enable the inner rail and the intermediate rail to move synchronously relative to the outer rail in the predetermined direction. Slide rail assembly.

2. One of the first predetermined feature portion and the second predetermined feature portion has a first guide surface, The slide rail assembly according to claim 1, wherein, in the process of moving one of the inner rail and the intermediate rail in a predetermined direction relative to the outer rail, the first predetermined feature portion and the second predetermined feature portion are configured to contact each other via the first guide surface in order to decelerate the movement of the one of the inner rail and the intermediate rail in the predetermined direction relative to the outer rail.

3. It comprises a first rail and a second rail that are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, The first rail is configured with a first predetermined feature portion, and the second rail is configured with a second predetermined feature portion. In the process of the first rail being moved in a predetermined direction relative to the second rail, the first predetermined feature portion and the second predetermined feature portion are configured to contact each other in order to decelerate the movement of the first rail in the predetermined direction relative to the second rail. The first predetermined feature part is, A first guide surface having an inclination in the predetermined direction, It includes a second guide surface that is positioned on the opposite side of the first guide surface with respect to the predetermined direction and has an inclination opposite to the inclination with respect to the predetermined direction, Slide rail assembly.

4. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3, wherein, in the process of the first rail being moved relative to the second rail in the predetermined direction, the first guide surface is configured to contact the second predetermined feature portion in order to decelerate the movement of the first rail relative to the second rail in the predetermined direction.

5. The first predetermined feature portion is formed between the first guide surface and the second guide surface, with a working space between them. The slide rail assembly according to claim 4, wherein, in the process of the first rail being further moved relative to the second rail in the predetermined direction, the second predetermined feature portion is configured to extend into the working space in order to stop the first rail at a predetermined position relative to the second rail.

6. The first rail is the inner rail of the slide rail assembly, and the second rail is the outer rail of the slide rail assembly. The slide rail assembly according to claim 3, further comprising an intermediate rail movably mounted between the outer rail and the inner rail.

7. Furthermore, the slide rail assembly according to claim 6 is further equipped with a synchronization mechanism configured to enable the inner rail and the intermediate rail to move synchronously with respect to the outer rail in the predetermined direction.

8. The first rail is an intermediate rail of the slide rail assembly, and the second rail is an outer rail of the slide rail assembly. The slide rail assembly according to claim 5, further comprising an inner rail, wherein the intermediate rail is movably mounted between the outer rail and the inner rail.

9. Furthermore, the slide rail assembly according to claim 8 is further equipped with a synchronization mechanism configured to enable the inner rail and the intermediate rail to move synchronously with respect to the outer rail in the predetermined direction.

Images