Slide rail locking device

Abstract

A slide rail locking device is disposed on a slide rail, the slide rail including an outer rail and an inner rail. The slide rail locking device includes a base unit and a locking unit. The base unit includes an outer frame fixed to the outer rail, a base suitable for fixing the inner rail, and an inner support fixed to the base. The outer frame has an outer connecting portion fixed to the outer rail, a locking portion extending from the outer connecting portion away from the outer rail, and an eaves portion connecting the upper edges of the outer connecting portion and the locking portion, the eaves portion forming a locking groove. The locking unit includes a locking member, a driving member, a locking member, and a locking elastic member. The locking member has a locking portion that can lock into the locking portion, and the driving member can drive the locking member to pivot, thereby releasing the locking portion from the locking portion. When the inner rail, base, and inner support are moved relative to the outer rail so that the locking portion is below the locking groove, the locking elastic member will push upward against the locking member, thereby locking the locking portion into the locking groove.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a locking device, and more particularly to a slide rail locking device. [Previous Technology]

[0002] An existing slide rail locking device is disposed between the inner and outer rails of a slide rail to prevent the inner rail from sliding out relative to the outer rail. The slide rail is disposed in a server rack, the outer rail is disposed in the server rack, and the inner rail is connected to a server. The slide rail locking device includes an outer connecting frame fixed to the outer rail and a locking member pivotally disposed on the inner rail and capable of locking onto the outer connecting frame. When the locking member is locked onto the outer connecting frame, it can prevent the inner rail from sliding out relative to the outer rail. When the locking relationship between the locking member and the outer connecting frame is released, the inner rail can move relative to the outer rail, thus enabling the server to be removed from the server rack for maintenance. However, in the existing slide rail locking device, after the locking relationship between the locking member and the outer connecting frame is released, the inner rail can be pulled out along with the server, but if the server remains in a movable state, maintenance of the server becomes more difficult and inconvenient, therefore there is room for improvement. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a slide rail locking device that can solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

[0004] Therefore, the slide rail locking device of the present invention is suitable for installation on a slide rail, the slide rail including an outer rail and an inner rail movable relative to the outer rail, the slide rail locking device including a base unit including an outer frame for fixing the outer rail, a base for fixing the inner rail and an inner support fixed to the base, the outer frame having an outer connecting portion for fixing the outer rail, a locking portion extending from the outer connecting portion away from the outer rail and an eaves portion connecting the upper edge of the outer connecting portion and the locking portion, one end of the eaves portion away from the outer connecting portion forming a locking groove, the inner support portion and the base portion jointly defining a movable groove; and a locking unit including a locking member pivotally mounted on the base unit, a connecting... The device includes a locking member, a driving member movably housed in the movable slot, a locking member pivotally mounted on the base unit, and a locking elastic member disposed on the inner support and abutting against the locking member. The locking member has a locking portion that can lock onto the engaging portion, and the locking member has a locking portion that can lock onto the locking slot. The driving member can be driven to move within the movable slot to drive the locking member to pivot, causing the locking portion to release from the engaging portion, so that the inner rail, the base, and the inner support can move relative to the outer rail. When the inner rail, the base, and the inner support move relative to the outer rail until the locking portion is located below the locking slot, the locking elastic member will push upward against the locking member, causing the locking portion to lock onto the locking slot.

[0005] In some embodiments, the latching member further includes a pivot portion pivotally mounted on the base and connected to the latching portion, and a linkage portion connecting the pivot portion and the driving member.

[0006] In some embodiments, the drive member has an operating part and a drive part connected to the operating part. The drive part has a bottom wall connected to the operating part, a side wall connected to the bottom wall extending away from the operating part, and a top wall connected to the side wall and the bottom wall spaced apart. The drive part defines an engagement groove for receiving the linkage part.

[0007] In some embodiments, the linkage part forms an elongated linkage groove, and the sidewall forms a linkage protrusion that is movably accommodated in the linkage groove.

[0008] In some embodiments, the base has a base plate portion for pivoting the latching member, a guide portion connecting the side of the base plate portion away from the outer rail, and an inner engagement portion connecting the side of the base plate portion adjacent to the outer rail. The inner engagement portion forms an opening through which the latching member passes to engage with the engagement portion. The guide portion and the inner support together define the movable groove. The inner engagement portion is suitable for fixing the inner rail.

[0009] In some embodiments, the inner support has a cover portion joined to the base plate portion and a movable portion connected to the cover portion. The cover portion forms a receiving groove for accommodating the latching member. The movable portion includes a base wall and a surrounding wall extending from the base wall toward the guide portion. The surrounding wall forms a communication port communicating with the receiving groove for the communication portion to pass through. The base wall, the surrounding wall and the guide portion form the movable groove with the opening facing downward.

[0010] In some embodiments, the guide portion forms a vertically extending guide groove on the surface of the drive member, and the top wall forms a vertically extending guide block corresponding to the guide groove.

[0011] In some embodiments, the latching unit further includes a driving elastic element, which is a spring, and a top groove is formed on the upper surface of the top wall for receiving the driving elastic element, with one end of the driving elastic element abutting against the enclosure wall.

[0012] In some embodiments, the locking member further includes a body portion pivotally mounted on the base, and the locking unit further includes a switching member movably disposed on the base and located below the eaves. The locking part is connected to the end of the body portion away from the switching member. The switching member can move between an initial position and a locked position. In the initial position, the switching member blocks the body portion, so that when the inner rail, the base, and the inner support move relative to the outer rail to the point that the locking part is below the locking groove, the locking part cannot be locked in the locking groove. In the locked position, when the switching member moves away from the locking member, and the inner rail, the base, and the inner support move relative to the outer rail to the point that the locking part is below the locking groove, the locking part is not blocked by the switching member and can be locked in the locking groove.

[0013] In some embodiments, the switching member has a switching portion protruding from the eaves and a movable portion connected to the switching portion. The movable portion has an inclined surface facing the eaves and capable of blocking the body portion. In the initial position, the inclined surface blocks the body portion to prevent the locking member from pivoting.

[0014] In some embodiments, the eaves has a top plate segment connecting the upper edge of the outer connecting portion and the engaging portion, and a side plate segment extending downward from the top plate segment and spaced apart from the outer connecting portion and the engaging portion, and the locking groove is formed in the side plate segment.

[0015] The present invention has at least the following effects: by means of the locking part of the locking member being engaged in the locking groove, the inner rail can be pulled out only a certain distance and can also maintain its position relative to the outer frame, which makes it convenient for the user to maintain a server installed on the inner rail.

Implementation Method

[0016] Before the present invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are represented by the same numbers in the following description.

[0017] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, one embodiment of the slide rail locking device 10 of the present invention is suitable for installation on a slide rail 100, which is installed in a server rack (not shown) and includes an outer rail 101, a middle rail 102 movably installed on the outer rail 101, and an inner rail 103 movably installed on the middle rail 102. The outer rail 101 is fixed to the server rack (not shown), and the inner rail 103 is fixed to a server (not shown). The slide rail locking device 10 includes a base unit 1 and a locking unit 2.

[0018] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the base unit 1 includes an outer frame 11 for fixing the outer rail 101, a base 12 for fixing the inner rail 103, and an inner support 13 fixed to the base 12. The outer frame 11 has an outer connecting portion 111 for fixing the outer rail 101, a locking portion 112 extending from the outer connecting portion 111 away from the outer rail 101, and an eaves portion 114 connecting the outer connecting portion 111 and the upper edge of the locking portion 112. The locking portion 112 has an upper plate section 112a connecting the outer connecting portion 111, a locking section 112b extending downward from the upper plate section 112a and spaced apart from the outer connecting portion 111, and a lower plate section 112c connecting the outer connecting portion 111 and located spaced below the upper plate section 112a. The upper plate segment 112a, the engaging segment 112b, and the lower plate segment 112c define a slot 113. The slot 113 has a first groove 113a defined by the engaging segment 112b and the lower plate segment 112c, and a second groove 113b defined by the upper plate segment 112a and the lower plate segment 112c. The first groove 113a communicates with the second groove 113b, and the width of the first groove 113a is smaller than the width of the second groove 113b. The eaves 114 has a top plate segment 114a connecting the upper edge of the outer connecting portion 111 and the engaging portion 112, and a side plate segment 114b extending downward from the top plate segment 114a and spaced from the outer connecting portion 111 and the engaging portion 112. A locking groove 114c is formed at the end of the side plate segment 114b away from the outer connecting portion 111.

[0019] The base 12 has a base plate portion 121 for pivotally connecting to the latching unit 2, a guide portion 122 connecting the side of the base plate portion 121 away from the outer rail 101, and an inner engaging portion 123 connecting the side of the base plate portion 121 adjacent to the outer rail 101. The guide portion 122 forms a vertically extending guide groove 122a on the surface facing the inner support 13. The inner engaging portion 123 is adapted to fix the inner rail 103 and forms an opening 123a.

[0020] Referring to Figure 5, the inner support 13 has a cover portion 131 that engages with the base plate portion 121 and a movable portion 132 that connects to the cover portion 131. The cover portion 131 is engaged with the base plate portion 121 by three fasteners 14, but is not limited thereto. The cover portion 131 forms a receiving groove 131a. The movable portion 132 includes a base wall 132a and a surrounding wall 132b extending from the base wall 132a toward the guide portion 122. The surrounding wall 132b forms a communication opening 132c that communicates with the receiving groove 131a. The base wall 132a, the surrounding wall 132b, and the guide portion 122 form a downward-facing movable groove 132d.

[0021] The latching unit 2 includes a latching member 21 pivotally mounted on the base plate portion 121 of the base 12, a driving member 22 connected to the latching member 21 and movably accommodating the movable groove 132d, a driving elastic member 23 disposed between the inner support 13 and the driving member 22, a locking member 25 pivotally mounted on the base unit 1, a switching member 26 movably disposed on the base 12 and located below the eaves portion 114, and a locking elastic member 27 disposed on the inner support 13 and abutting against the locking member 25. The driving elastic member 23 is a spring with one end abutting against the enclosure wall 132b and the other end abutting against the driving member 22. The latching member 21 can be accommodated in the receiving groove 131a, and has a latching part 211 that can pass through the opening 123a to latch the latching part 112 and is movably accommodated in the second groove 113b, a pivoting part 212 that is pivotally mounted on the base 12 and connected to the latching part 211, and a connecting part 213 that is connected to the pivoting part 212 and connected to the driving member 22 through the communication port 132c. The connecting part 213 forms an elongated connecting groove 213a.

[0022] The drive member 22 is generally square columnar in shape and has an operating part 221 and a drive part 222 connected to the operating part 221. The operating part 221 forms an operating surface 221a that protrudes downward in a spherical shape. The drive part 222 has a bottom wall 222a connected to the operating part 221, a side wall 222b connecting the bottom wall 222a and extending away from the operating part 221, and a top wall 222c connecting the side wall 222b and the bottom wall 222a, which are spaced apart. The drive part 222 defines a mating groove 223 for receiving the linkage part 213. The side wall 222b forms a linkage protrusion 222d that is movably received in the linkage groove 213a. The top wall 222c has a guide block 222c1 that extends vertically and is accommodated in the guide groove 122a on the surface of the base. The upper surface of the top wall 222c has a top groove 222c2 for accommodating the elastic member 23.

[0023] The locking member 25 is generally elongated rod-shaped and has a body portion 251 pivotally mounted on the base 12 and a locking portion 252 connecting the end of the body portion 251 away from the switching member 26. The body portion 251 is pivotally mounted on the base plate portion 121 via a pivot member 24. The switching member 26 has a switching portion 261 protruding from the eaves 114 and a movable portion 262 connected to the switching portion 261. The movable portion 262 has a slope 262a facing the eaves 114 and capable of blocking the body portion 251. The switching member can move between an initial position and a locked position. In the initial position, the switching member blocks the body portion. In the locked position, the switching member moves away from the locking member.

[0024] Referring to Figures 1, 6 to 9, the operation flow of the slide rail locking device 10 of the present invention is briefly described below: When the driving member 22 is not operated and contacted, the locking part 211 of the locking member 21 is locked in the locking section 112b of the locking part 112 to prevent the inner rail 103 from sliding out relative to the outer rail 101, as shown in Figure 6. Next, when an external object (not shown) moves along the length of the slide rail 100 toward the drive member 22 and abuts against the operating surface 221a, because the operating surface 221a protrudes downward in a spherical shape, the external object can abut against the drive member 22 during movement, so that the drive member 22 can be driven to move upward in the movable groove 132d. By the linkage protrusion 222d of the drive part 222 moving in the linkage groove 213a, the linkage part 213 of the locking member 21 can be driven to move upward, thereby driving the locking member 21 to pivot counterclockwise, so that the locking part 211 moves downward in the second groove 113b to release the locking relationship with the engaging part 112, as shown in Figure 7. After the locking part 211 releases its locking relationship with the locking section 112b of the locking part 112, the inner rail 103, the base 12, and the inner bracket 13 can move relative to the outer rail 101. When the inner rail 103, the base 12, and the inner bracket 13 move relative to the outer rail 101, the locking part 211 can separate from the outer frame 11 through the first groove 113a. Until the inner rail 103, the base 12, and the inner bracket 13 move relative to the outer rail 101 to the point where the locking part 252 is located below the locking groove 114c, the inclined surface 262a blocks the body part 251 to prevent the locking member 25 from pivoting. Therefore, the locking part 252 cannot be locked in the locking groove 114c, thereby allowing the server (not shown) fixed to the inner rail 103 to be removed from the server rack (not shown) for maintenance. If the user does not wish to completely remove the server fixed to the inner rail 103, they can simply operate the switch 26 to move it to the locking position, as shown in Figure 8. Then, the inner rail 103, the base 12, and the inner bracket 13 will move relative to the outer rail 101 until the locking part 252 is located below the locking groove 114c. At this point, the locking part 252 will no longer be blocked by the switch 26, and the locking elastic member 27 will push upward against the locking member 25, causing the locking part 252 to lock into the locking groove 114c, as shown in Figure 9. This allows the inner rail 103 and the server to be pulled out only a short distance, while ensuring that the base 12, the inner bracket 13, the locking member 21, the inner rail 103, and the server remain positioned relative to the outer frame 11. This also allows for maintenance of the server, which is quite convenient.It should be noted that the design of the drive member 22 moving the linkage part 213 of the latching member 21 upward by means of the linkage protrusion 222d of the drive part 222 moving in the linkage groove 213a can improve the fit tolerance between the latching member 21 and the drive member 22. Even if the dimensions of the mass-produced latching member 21 are inconsistent, the drive member 22 can still drive the linkage part 213 upward by means of the design of the elongated linkage groove 213a and the linkage protrusion 222d, so that the latching member 21 can pivot.

[0025] In summary, the slide rail locking device 10 of the present invention can be locked in the locking groove 114c by the locking part 252 of the locking member 25, so that the inner rail 103 can be pulled out only a distance and can also maintain its position relative to the outer frame 11, which makes it convenient for the user to maintain a server installed on the inner rail 103. Therefore, the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.

[0026] However, the above description is only an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification shall still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0027] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: FIG1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the slide rail locking device of the present invention disposed on a slide rail; FIG2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment and the slide rail; FIG3 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment; FIG4 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment from another perspective; FIG5 is a rear view of an inner support of a base unit of the embodiment; FIG6 is a rear view of the embodiment illustrating that a locking part of a locking member of a locking unit is locked to a locking segment of a locking part of an outer frame, and a switching member is in an initial position; FIG7 is a rear view of the embodiment illustrating that the locking part of the locking member is driven by a driving member to pivot downward to release the locking relationship with the locking segment of the locking part; FIG8 is a rear view of the embodiment illustrating that the switching member is in a locked position; and FIG9 is a rear view of the embodiment illustrating that the locking part of the locking member is locked to a locking groove.

Claims

1. A slide rail locking device, suitable for mounting on a slide rail, the slide rail including an outer rail and an inner rail movable relative to the outer rail, the slide rail locking device comprising: a base unit including an outer frame for fixing the outer rail, a base for fixing the inner rail, and an inner support fixed to the base, the outer frame having an outer connecting portion for fixing the outer rail, an engaging portion extending from the outer connecting portion away from the outer rail, and an eaves portion connecting the outer connecting portion and the upper edge of the engaging portion, one end of the eaves portion away from the outer connecting portion forming a locking groove, the inner support and the base together defining a movable groove; and a locking unit including a locking member pivotally mounted on the base unit, a driving member connected to the locking member and movably received in the movable groove, and a locking member pivotally mounted on the base unit. The device includes a locking member and a locking elastic member disposed on the inner bracket and abutting the locking member. The locking member has a locking portion that can lock into the engaging portion, and the locking member has a locking portion that can lock into the locking groove. The driving member can be driven to move within the movable groove to drive the locking member to pivot and release the locking portion from the engaging portion, so that the inner rail, the base, and the inner bracket can move relative to the outer rail. When the inner rail, the base, and the inner bracket move relative to the outer rail to the point that the locking portion is located below the locking groove, the locking elastic member will push upward against the locking member to lock the locking portion into the locking groove.

2. The slide rail locking device as described in claim 1, wherein, The latching component also includes a pivot portion pivotally mounted on the base and connected to the latching part, and a linkage portion connecting the pivot portion and the driving member.

3. The slide rail locking device as described in claim 2, wherein, The drive unit has an operating part and a drive part connected to the operating part. The drive part has a bottom wall connected to the operating part, a side wall connected to the bottom wall extending away from the operating part, and a top wall connected to the side wall and the bottom wall spaced apart. The drive part defines an engagement groove for receiving the linkage part.

4. The slide rail locking device as described in claim 3, wherein, The linkage part forms an elongated linkage groove, and the side wall forms a linkage protrusion that is movably accommodated in the linkage groove.

5. The slide rail locking device as described in claim 3, wherein, The base has a base plate portion for pivoting the latching member, a guide portion connecting the side of the base plate portion away from the outer rail, and an inner engagement portion connecting the side of the base plate portion adjacent to the outer rail. The inner engagement portion forms an opening through which the latching member passes to engage with the engagement portion. The guide portion and the inner support together define the movable groove. The inner engagement portion is suitable for fixing the inner rail.

6. The slide rail locking device as described in claim 5, wherein, The inner support has a cover portion that is joined to the base plate portion and a movable portion that connects to the cover portion. The cover portion forms a receiving groove for accommodating the latching member. The movable portion includes a base wall and a surrounding wall that extends from the base wall toward the guide portion. The surrounding wall forms a communication port that connects to the receiving groove for the linkage portion to pass through. The base wall, the surrounding wall, and the guide portion form the movable groove with the opening facing downward.

7. The slide rail locking device as described in claim 6, wherein, The guide portion forms a vertically extending guide groove on the surface of the drive member, and the top wall forms a vertically extending guide block that is accommodated in the guide groove.

8. The slide rail locking device as described in claim 6, wherein, The locking unit also includes a driving elastic element, which is a spring. A top groove is formed on the upper surface of the top wall for receiving the driving elastic element, and one end of the driving elastic element abuts against the enclosure wall.

9. The slide rail locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The locking member also has a body portion pivotally mounted on the base. The locking unit further includes a switching member movably disposed on the base and located below the eaves. The locking part is connected to the end of the body portion away from the switching member. The switching member can move between an initial position and a locked position. In the initial position, the switching member blocks the body portion, so that when the inner rail, the base, and the inner support move relative to the outer rail to the point that the locking part is below the locking groove, the locking part cannot be locked in the locking groove. In the locked position, when the switching member moves away from the locking member, and the inner rail, the base, and the inner support move relative to the outer rail to the point that the locking part is below the locking groove, the locking part is not blocked by the switching member and can be locked in the locking groove.

10. The slide rail locking device as claimed in claim 9, wherein, The switching member has a switching part protruding from the eaves and a movable part connected to the switching part. The movable part has an inclined surface facing the eaves and blocking the main body. In the initial position, the inclined surface blocks the main body to prevent the locking member from pivoting.

11. The slide rail locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The eaves has a top plate section connecting the upper edge of the outer connecting part and the engaging part, and a side plate section extending downward from the top plate section and spaced apart from the outer connecting part and the engaging part, with the locking groove formed in the side plate section.

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