Handle switch switching mechanism

Abstract

A handle switch mechanism is particularly suitable for mounting on a first rail, the first rail being movably mounted on a second rail, the second rail having a first through hole. The handle switch mechanism includes: a handle, an actuator, an arc-shaped guide, and a locking lug. The handle has a protrusion. The actuator is movably mounted on the inner side of the first rail. The actuator has a hollowed-out portion, which is bent and extended on opposite sides to form sidewalls. One end of the arc-shaped guide is connected to the front end of the actuator, and the other end of the arc-shaped guide abuts against the protrusion. It has a first state and a second state. The rear end of the locking lug is pivotally connected to the first rail, and the front end of the locking lug is movably disposed on the sidewall. Thus, in the first state, the locking lug is located in the first through hole, and the locking lug abuts against the sidewall, so that the first rail and the second rail are locked together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] A switch-to-change mechanism, particularly a switch-to-change mechanism for a handle of a slide rail assembly. Prior Technology

[0002] Traditionally, server racks housing computers and related equipment feature layered, removable drawers. These drawers are guided in and out of the rack by a sliding rail system. This rail system consists of a bottom rail, a middle rail that slides along the bottom rail, and an inner rail that slides along the middle rail. The bottom rail is fixed to the inside of the rack, while the inner rail is mounted on the side of the drawer. The middle and inner rails slide smoothly along the connecting rails, allowing the drawer to slide in and out of the rack smoothly. However, while this sliding rail system is convenient for operation and maintenance, it is not very safe to use. This is because the system lacks any braking or damping devices, making it easy for machines on the drawer to accidentally slide into the rack due to inertia or during maintenance. This can cause significant impact damage to expensive industrial computers and related equipment, or even cause the entire rack to tip over due to instability.

[0003] Therefore, how to solve the problems and shortcomings of the existing technologies is the research and development topic that relevant companies are eager to address. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a handle switching mechanism, particularly suitable for mounting to a first rail, which is movably mounted to a second rail, the second rail having a second through hole. The handle switching mechanism includes: a handle having a protrusion; an actuator movably mounted inside the first rail, the actuator having a hollow portion, and the hollow portion extending and bending to form a sidewall on opposite sides; an arc-shaped guide, one end of which is connected to the front end of the actuator, the other end of which abuts against the protrusion, having a first state and a second state; and a locking lug, the rear end of which is pivotally connected to the first rail, the front end of which is movably disposed on the sidewall; thereby, in the first state, the locking lug is located in the first through hole, the locking lug abuts against the sidewall, so that the first rail and the second rail are locked together.

[0005] Preferably, when the handle is rotated under force, the protrusion located on the handle rotates synchronously, and its first state switches to the second state. The protrusion pushes against the arc-shaped guide, and the arc-shaped guide moves the front end of the actuator, causing the actuator to move outward. At this time, the side wall of the actuator drives the front end of the ear lock to move away from the second rail, causing the rear end of the ear lock to pivot, and the ear lock disengages from the second through hole, so that the first rail and the second rail are in an unlocked state.

[0006] Preferably, the switch mechanism of the handle has a first elastic member and an elastic abutment member. The two ends of the first elastic member are respectively connected to the handle and the first rail. One end of the handle has at least one handle through hole. The actuator is installed on the inner side of the first rail through a plurality of fixing members. The elastic abutment member is disposed on the inner side of the first rail. In the first state, one side of the elastic abutment member lightly touches and abuts against the bottom of the ear lock. The ear lock is located in the second through hole, so that the first rail and the second rail are locked to each other.

[0007] Preferably, the switch mechanism of the handle further includes a second elastic member, one end of which is connected to the fixed member and the other end of which is connected to the actuating member. When the actuating member moves outward, the second elastic member is also stretched due to the force applied to it.

[0008] Preferably, the front end of the actuator is bent vertically upward to form a first extension segment, the first extension segment having a first extension hole, and the handle having a drive shaft and at least one handle hole for the drive shaft to pass through and be fixed, and one end of the drive shaft passing through the first extension hole.

[0009] Preferably, the switch mechanism of the handle includes an elastic abutment, and the front end of the ear lock has an abutment portion on each side, and the top of the side wall is divided into a first top and a second top, with the first top being relatively higher than the second top.

[0010] Preferably, the ear lock has a locking part at the top. When the handle is rotated, the actuator is moved outward through the drive shaft, and the protrusion of the drive shaft moves downward along the arc-shaped guide. The abutment parts on both sides of the front end of the ear lock move from the first top to the second top, so that the bottom of the ear lock is pressed down against the elastic abutment. This causes the locking part of the ear lock to tilt and disengage from the second through hole, so that the first rail and the second rail are in an unlocked state.

[0011] Preferably, when the rotational force on the handle disappears, the actuator and the locking mechanism will return from the second state to the first state.

[0012] Preferably, the switch mechanism of the handle further includes an operating element and a safety lock. The safety lock is movably mounted on the front end of the operating element and has a protruding feature and a switch operating part. The operating element is movably mounted on the first rail.

[0013] Preferably, the actuator extends a second extension at its rear end, and the second extension has a positioning groove. When the protruding feature of the safety lock is moved into the positioning groove through the switch operation part, the actuator will move in conjunction with the operation member. When the actuator switches from the first state to the second state and moves outward, the operation member moves outward.

[0014] In summary, the handle switch mechanism disclosed in this invention can bring the following benefits: 1. It facilitates operation and maintenance; 2. It allows operators to switch the switch via the handle, thereby improving safety and convenience; and 3. It significantly improves the safety of operators through a two-stage switching method.

[0015] The following detailed description through specific embodiments will make it easier to understand the purpose, technical content, features and effects achieved by this invention. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0016] The first figure is a schematic diagram of the switch mechanism of the handle of the present invention.

[0017] The second figure is a partial schematic diagram of the switch mechanism of the handle of the present invention.

[0018] The third figure is a cross-sectional view of the switch mechanism of the handle of the present invention.

[0019] The fourth figure is an operational diagram of the transmission shaft of the switch mechanism of the handle of the present invention.

[0020] The fifth figure is another operational diagram of the transmission shaft of the switch mechanism of the handle of the present invention.

[0021] The sixth figure is another partial schematic diagram of the switch mechanism of the handle of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 is another cross-sectional view of the switch mechanism of the handle of the present invention. Implementation

[0023] After years of research and development, the inventor has improved upon the shortcomings of existing products. The following will detail how this invention achieves the most efficient functional requirements using a handle switch mechanism.

[0024] Please refer to Figures 1 through 7. As shown, the handle switching mechanism 100 of the present invention is particularly suitable for mounting to a first rail 200, and the first rail 200 can be movably mounted to a third rail 400, and a second rail 300 can be movably mounted to the third rail 400. The third rail 400 is used to extend the displacement stroke of the first rail 200 and the second rail 300, and the second rail 300 has a second through hole 410. In detail, the handle switching mechanism 100 of the present invention includes a handle 110, a first elastic member 120, an actuating member 130, a drive shaft 114, a locking lug 140, and an elastic abutment member 150. The entire body of the handle 110 is generally rectangular, and one end of the handle 110 has at least one handle through hole 112. In this embodiment, there are two handle through holes 112, but this is not a limitation. Furthermore, the first elastic element 120 is spiral-shaped and its two ends are respectively connected to the handle 110 and the first rail 200, wherein the first elastic element 120 may be a spiral spring. The actuating element 130 is movably installed on the inner side of the first rail 200 through a plurality of fixing members FT. The actuating element 130 has a hollow portion 132, and the hollow portion 132 is bent and extended on two opposite sides to form a side wall 134. The side wall 134 is L-shaped, wherein the top end 134V of the side wall 134 can be divided into a first top 134A and a second top 134B, and the first top 134A is relatively higher than the second top 134B. Furthermore, the actuator 130 has an arc-shaped guide 137, one end of which is connected to the front end 130F of the actuator. The front end 130F of the actuator bends vertically upward to form a first extension segment 136, wherein the first extension segment 136 has a first extension through hole 136A, and the arc-shaped guide 137 is located beside the first extension segment 136. The arc-shaped guide 137 is a cam. The structure, displacement, deployment, and retraction of the first rail 200, the second rail 300, and the third rail 400 are already known technologies and will not be described further here for the sake of simplicity.

[0025] Furthermore, the handle 110 has a drive shaft 114 and at least one handle through hole 112114 through which the drive shaft 114 passes and is fixed. One end of the drive shaft 114 passes through the first extension through hole 136A. The handle 110 passes through the at least one handle through hole 112 and the first extension through hole 136A. One end of the drive shaft 114 has a protrusion 116, and the protrusion 116 abuts against the other end of the arc-shaped guide member 137, having a first state and a second state. The ear lock 140 is movably disposed on the side wall 134 of the hollow portion 132 of the actuator 130, and the rear end 140B of the ear lock is pivotally mounted on both sides of the first rail 200. The ear lock 140 is U-shaped and has a locking portion 142 on the top. The rear end 140F of the ear lock has abutment portions 144 on both sides. Furthermore, the elastic abutment 150 is disposed on the inner side of the first rail 200. In the first state, one side of the elastic abutment 150 lightly touches and abuts against the bottom of the ear lock 140 (that is, the other side opposite to the engaging portion 142). In the first state, the engaging portion 142 of the ear lock 140 is located in the second through hole 410, and the rear end 140F of the ear lock abuts against the side wall 134, so that the first rail 200 and the second rail 300 are locked to each other, thereby preventing the first rail 200 and the second rail 300 from moving relative to each other.

[0026] The operation mechanism of the switch switching mechanism 100 of the handle will be further explained below.

[0027] When the handle 110 is rotated under force, the protrusion 116 of the drive shaft 114 located on the handle 110 rotates synchronously. At this time, the first state switches to the second state. The protrusion 116 of the drive shaft 114 pushes against and moves downward relative to the other end of the arc-shaped guide 137. One end of the arc-shaped guide 137 is connected to the front end 130F of the actuator, causing the actuator 130 to move outward (outward is defined here as the direction towards the position of the handle 110). At this time, the first top 134A of the side wall 134 of the actuator 130 drives the rear end 140F of the ear lock. The abutment portion 144 moves relative to the second top 134B of the side wall 134 of the actuator 130, causing the rear end 140F of the ear lock to move away from the second rail 300. The rear end 140B of the ear lock pivots, causing the bottom of the ear lock 140 to press downward against the elastic abutment 150, and the rear end 140B of the ear lock will tilt slightly upward, thereby causing the engaging portion 142 of the ear lock 140 to tilt and disengage from the second through hole 410, so that the first rail 200 and the second rail 300 are in an unlocked state, allowing the first rail 200 and the second rail 300 to move relative to each other. On the other hand, when the rotational force of the handle 110 disappears, the actuator 130 and the ear lock 140 will return from the second state to the first state.

[0028] It is worth mentioning that the switch mechanism 100 of the handle further includes a second elastic element 160. One end of the second elastic element 160 is connected to the fixing member FT, and the other end is connected to the actuating member 130. When the actuating member 130 moves outward, the second elastic element 160 is also stretched by force, that is, it switches from the first state to the second state. When the force on the handle 110 disappears, the second elastic element 160 returns to its original shape and pulls the actuating member 130 back inward through its own restoring force, that is, it returns from the second state to the first state.

[0029] The switch mechanism 100 of the handle of the present invention further includes an operating member 170, a safety lock 180, and a latching member (not shown, but those skilled in the art should understand this latching member) that stops the first rail 100 from expanding and displacing relative to the second rail 300 to its end point. A second extension 138 extends from the rear end 130B of the operating member, and the second extension 138 has a positioning groove 138A. The operating member 170 is movably mounted on the first rail 200. The safety lock 180 is movably mounted vertically and horizontally on the front end 170F of the operating member 170, wherein the safety lock 180 has a protruding feature 182 and a switch operating part 184. The latching member is movably mounted inside the first rail 200, and the rear end 170B of the operating member 170 is connected to the latching member. When the protruding feature 182 of the safety lock 180 is moved into the positioning groove 138A via the switch operation section 184, the actuator 130 can be linked with the operating member 170. Therefore, when the actuator 130 switches from the first state to the second state and moves outward, the operating member 170 moves outward. On the other hand, when the actuator 130 switches from the second state to the first state and moves outward, the operating member 170 moves inward.

[0030] The terms "installation," "setting," and "connection" in the specification, scope of the invention patent, and accompanying drawings should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can also refer to a mechanical connection. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of these terms in this invention patent based on the specific circumstances.

[0031] The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, patent scope, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0032] The terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," and "middle," etc., used in the specification, scope of the invention, and the accompanying drawings indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing the invention and its embodiments and are not intended to limit the indicated devices, elements, or components to having a specific orientation or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0033] Continuing from the above, some of the terms mentioned above, besides indicating direction or positional relationships, may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may, in certain circumstances, indicate a dependency or connection. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0034] In summary, the handle switch mechanism disclosed in this invention can bring the following benefits: 1. It facilitates operation and maintenance; 2. It allows operators to switch the switch via the handle, thereby improving safety and convenience; and 3. It greatly improves the safety of operators through a two-stage switching method.

[0035] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Therefore, all equivalent variations or modifications made in accordance with the features and spirit described in the claims of this invention should be included within the scope of the patent application of this invention.

[0036] 100: Handle switch mechanism

[0037] 110: Handle

[0038] 112: Handle piercing

[0039] 114: Drive shaft

[0040] 116: Protrusion

[0041] 120: First elastic element

[0042] 130: Actuator

[0043] 130B: Actuator rear end

[0044] 130F: Actuator front end

[0045] 132: Openwork section

[0046] 134: Side wall

[0047] 134V: Top

[0048] 134A: First Top

[0049] 134B: Second Top

[0050] 136: First extension

[0051] 136A: First extended perforation

[0052] 137: Arc-shaped guide

[0053] 138: Second extension

[0054] 138A: Positioning Groove

[0055] 140: Ear Lock

[0056] 140B: Ear lock rear end

[0057] 140F: Earlock front end

[0058] 142: Card Section

[0059] 144: Reliance Department

[0060] 150: Flexible abutment component

[0061] 160: Second elastic element

[0062] 170: Operating components

[0063] 170B: Backend

[0064] 170F: Front end

[0065] 180: Safety Lock

[0066] 182: Features of the protruding part

[0067] 184: Switch Operating Section

[0068] 200: Track 1

[0069] 300: Track 2

[0070] 400: Track 3

[0071] 410: Second through hole

[0072] FT: Fasteners

Claims

1. A handle switch mechanism, particularly suitable for mounting to a first rail, the first rail being movably mounted to a second rail having a first through hole, the handle switch mechanism comprising: The device comprises: a handle having a protrusion; an actuator movably mounted inside the first rail, the actuator having a cutout portion that bends and extends to form a sidewall on each of its two opposite sides; an arc-shaped guide, one end of which is connected to the front end of the actuator, and the other end of which abuts against the protrusion, having a first state and a second state; and an ear lock, the rear end of which is pivotally connected to the first rail, and the front end of which is movably disposed on the sidewall; thereby, in the first state, the ear lock is located in the first through hole, and the front end of the ear lock abuts against the sidewall, so that the first rail and the second rail are locked together.

2. The handle switching mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein when the handle is rotated under force, the protrusion of the handle rotates synchronously, and its first state switches to the second state. The protrusion pushes against the other end of the arc-shaped guide, and one end of the arc-shaped guide is connected to the front end of the actuator, causing the actuator to move outward. At this time, the side wall of the actuator drives the front end of the ear lock to move away from the second rail, causing the rear end of the ear lock to pivot, and the ear lock disengages from the first through hole, so that the first rail and the second rail are in an unlocked state.

3. The handle switching mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the handle switching mechanism has a first elastic member and an elastic abutment member, the two ends of the first elastic member are respectively connected to the handle and the first rail, the actuator is installed on the inner side of the first rail through a plurality of fixing members, the elastic abutment member is disposed on the inner side of the first rail, wherein in the first state, one side of the elastic abutment member lightly touches and abuts against the bottom of the ear lock, and the ear lock is located in the first through hole so that the first rail and the second rail are locked to each other.

4. The handle switching mechanism as described in claim 3, wherein the handle switching mechanism further includes a second elastic member, one end of which is connected to the fixing member and the other end of which is connected to the actuating member, wherein the second elastic member is stretched due to force when the actuating member moves outward.

5. The handle switching mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front end of the actuator is bent vertically upward to form a first extension, the first extension having a first extension hole, and the handle having a drive shaft and at least one handle hole through which the drive shaft passes and is fixed, and one end of the drive shaft passes through the first extension hole.

6. The handle switching mechanism as described in claim 5, wherein the handle switching mechanism includes an elastic abutment, and the front end of the ear lock has an abutment portion on each side, and the top of the side wall is divided into a first top and a second top, and the first top is relatively higher than the second top.

7. The handle switching mechanism as described in claim 6, wherein the ear lock has a locking portion above it, and when the handle is rotated by force, the actuator is moved outward through the drive shaft, and the protrusion of the drive shaft moves downward along the arc-shaped guide, and the abutment portions on both sides of the front end of the ear lock move relative to each other from the first top to the second top, so that the bottom of the ear lock is pressed down against the elastic abutment, thereby causing the locking portion of the ear lock to tilt and disengage from the first through hole, so that the first rail and the second rail are in an unlocked state.

8. The handle switching mechanism as described in claim 6, wherein when the rotational force on the handle is removed, the actuator and the ear lock return from the second state to the first state.

9. The handle switching mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the handle switching mechanism further includes an operating member and a safety lock, the safety lock being movably mounted on the front end of the operating member in both vertical and horizontal directions, and the safety lock having a protruding feature and a switch operating part, and the operating member being movably mounted on the first rail.

10. The switch mechanism of the handle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the actuator extends a second extension at its rear end, the second extension having a positioning groove, and when the protruding feature of the safety lock is moved into the positioning groove via the switch operation, the actuator is linked to the operation member, and when the actuator switches from the first state to the second state and moves outward, the operation member moves outward.

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