slide rail with buffer mechanism

Abstract

A slide rail with a buffer mechanism includes a first rail, a second rail, and a buffer mechanism. The buffer mechanism is disposed at one end of the first rail, and a first working feature is disposed at one end of the second rail. The buffer mechanism includes a slider and a movable device. The slider is movably disposed on one side of the first rail and has a first long groove. The movable device is disposed in the first long groove. Thus, when the second rail expands and contracts, after the second rail has moved in the same direction to a first distance and a second distance, the first working feature of the second rail abuts against the slider. The first working feature drives the slider to move in the same direction, while the movable device generates resistance to allow the second rail to expand and contract to the end of its travel and stop moving.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] A type of slide rail with a buffer mechanism, especially for cabinets and chassis of industrial servers, when one slide rail is unfolded and retracted relative to another slide rail, the slide rail starts to move to a certain distance without resistance, and then a resistance is generated by the action of a movable mechanism to allow the slide rail to slowly move to the end of its travel. Prior Technology

[0002] In existing industrial server racks and chassis, slide rails typically consist of a first rail (e.g., outer frame) and a second rail (e.g., middle frame or middle and inner frame). The first rail is mounted in the rack, and the second rail is mounted in the chassis. During the unfolding and retraction of the second rail relative to the first rail, an elastic device, such as a spring, generates an elastic force. This force causes the second rail to have a slow displacement before reaching its end point. However, this slow displacement means that at the moment of unfolding and retraction relative to the first rail, the second rail needs to repeatedly resist the elastic force of the device, resulting in a similar slow displacement. This can cause users to apply excessive force to the chassis on the second rail, causing it to detach from the first rail and fall out of the rack. Therefore, how to solve the problem of the second rail also having a slow displacement at the moment of unfolding and retraction relative to the first rail is a direction that industry professionals urgently need to research and improve. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A slide rail with a buffer mechanism includes a first rail; a second rail that is displaceable relative to the first rail, and a first working feature is provided at one end of the second rail; and a buffer mechanism disposed on one side of the first rail, comprising a slider and a movable device. The slider is movably disposed on one side of the first rail, the slider has a first elongated groove, and the movable device is disposed in the first elongated groove. Wherein, when the second rail expands and contracts, after the second rail is displaced in the same direction to a first distance and a second distance respectively, the first working feature of the second rail abuts against the slider, and the first working feature then drives the slider to displace in the same direction, while the movable device generates a resistance to allow the second rail to expand and contract to the end of its stroke.

[0004] Preferably, the slider is provided with a second working feature and a third working feature at two opposite ends, and the movable device is composed of at least one movable member and a guide feature. The guide feature extends horizontally and is provided on at least one side of the first long groove. The at least one movable member is provided on the first rail and corresponds to the guide feature.

[0005] Preferably, when the second rail is displaced in the same direction relative to the first rail until the first working feature abuts against the second working feature and a third working feature respectively, and the first working feature drives the slider to displace in the same direction, the guiding feature of the first long groove drives the at least one moving member to generate the resistance.

[0006] Preferably, the first rail has a first mounting groove, the buffer mechanism has a fixed plate, the fixed plate is located in the first mounting groove, and the slider has a first movable space connected to the first long groove on one side adjacent to the first rail, the fixed plate is disposed in the first movable space, and the at least one movable member is mounted on the fixed plate and inserted into the first long groove through the first movable space.

[0007] Preferably, the at least one moving element is a damping gear, and the guiding feature is a rack, the at least one damping gear meshing with the rack.

[0008] Preferably, the at least one moving member is a rolling bearing, and the guiding feature is a plurality of arcuate protrusions, the at least one rolling bearing pressing against the plurality of arcuate protrusions.

[0009] Preferably, the second working feature and the third working feature are respectively assembled on the slide and respectively aligned with the first working feature.

[0010] Preferably, the buffer mechanism has at least one fixing member, and the slider of the buffer mechanism has at least one horizontally extending second long groove, the at least one second long groove is adjacent to the first long groove, the at least one fixing member passes through the at least one second long groove and is then locked to one side of the first rail, the at least one fixing member abuts against both ends of the at least one second long groove to limit the movement of the slider.

[0011] Preferably, the first working feature is a rivet, which is installed at the end of the second rail and faces the first rail. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0012]

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the slide rail with a buffer mechanism according to the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the buffer mechanism of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 is another exploded view of the buffer mechanism of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the slide rail with buffer mechanism of the present invention in its retracted state.

[0017] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the second track of the present invention being closed relative to the first track.

[0018] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the second track of the present invention when it is extended at the first distance.

[0019] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the second track of the present invention unfolding to abut against the first working feature sliding member.

[0020] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the second track of the present invention unfolding to the end of the journey.

[0021] Figure 9 is another schematic diagram of the second track of the present invention unfolding to the end of the journey.

[0022] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the second track of the present invention when it is closed at the second distance.

[0023] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the second track of the present invention retracting to the first working feature abutting the sliding member. Implementation

[0024] The terms "installation," "setting," and "connection," etc., used in the specification, patent scope, and accompanying drawings of this invention 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.

[0025] The terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., used in the specification, scope of the invention, and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0026] The terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., used in the specification and 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.

[0027] Furthermore, in addition to indicating orientation or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also be used to indicate other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 1. The present invention is a slide rail with a buffer mechanism, which includes: a first rail 1, a second rail 2, a third rail 3 and a buffer mechanism 4. The first rail 1 has a first mounting groove 11, and the second rail 2 is movable relative to the first rail 1. One end of the second rail 2 is provided with a first working feature 21 (e.g., a rivet), which faces the first rail 1. The third rail 3 is movable relative to the second rail 2. The second rail 2 is used to extend the displacement length of the first rail 1 relative to the third rail 3, and the buffer mechanism 4 is disposed on one side of the first rail 1.

[0029] The structure, displacement, unfolding and folding of the first track 1, the second track 2 and the third track 3 of the present invention are already known technologies, and will not be described in detail here for the sake of simplicity.

[0030] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. The buffer mechanism 4 includes: a slider 41, at least one movable member 42, at least one fixed member 43 (e.g., a level rivet), and a fixed plate 44. The slider 41 is movably disposed on one side of the first rail 1. The length of the slider 41 is shorter than that of the second rail 2. The slider 41 has a horizontally extending first long groove 411 and at least one second long groove 412. The at least one second long groove 412 is adjacent to the first long groove 411. At least one side of the first long groove 411 is provided with a horizontally extending guide feature 4111. The slider 41 has a second working feature 413 and a third working feature 414 respectively located at two opposite ends. The second working feature 413 and the third working feature 414 face the second rail 2. The second working feature 413 and the third working feature 414 are respectively positioned on the side of the second rail 2. First working feature 21, at least one movable member 42 corresponds to the guide feature 4111, the at least one movable member 42 and the guide feature 4111 constitute a movable device TD, the movable device TD is disposed in the first long groove 411 of the slide member 41, and at least one fixing member 43 passes through the at least one second long groove 412 and is then locked to one side of the first rail 1, the at least one movable member 42 is disposed on the first rail 1, and the fixing plate 44 has at least one second mounting groove 441 located in the first mounting groove 11, and the slide member 41 has a first movable space 410 connected to one of the first long grooves 411 on one side adjacent to the first rail 1, and the fixing plate 44 is disposed in the first movable space 410, and the at least one movable member 42 is mounted on the fixing plate 44 and disposed between the first mounting groove 11 and the first movable space 410.

[0031] This invention is described using two movable parts 42 and two second long slots 412 as examples. The number of movable parts 42 and second long slots 412 can be one, three, four or five, respectively. The examples are not intended to limit the patent scope of this invention.

[0032] The present invention is illustrated by the following embodiments: the first working feature 21 can be integrally formed on the second rail 2 (e.g., by stamping), or can be separately formed and then assembled to one end of the second rail 2; the second working feature 413 and the third working feature 414 can be separately formed and then respectively covered and shot out from both ends of the slider 41, or can be integrally formed on both ends of the slider 41 (e.g., by sheet metal stamping). The embodiments of the present invention, in which the first working feature 21 is separately formed and then assembled to one end of the second rail 2, and the second working feature 413 and the third working feature 414 are separately formed and then respectively covered and shot out from both ends of the slider 41, are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention.

[0033] Continuing from the above, the first working feature 21 is preferably made of a non-plastic material, such as a metal material (iron). The second working feature 413 and the third working feature 414 are preferably made of non-plastic materials, such as metal materials. Alternatively, one of the second working feature 413 and the third working feature 414 may contain a plastic material, and the other of the second working feature 413 and the third working feature 414 may contain a metal material. Or, the second working feature 413 and the third working feature 414 may be made of plastic materials. This allows for better adaptation to different usage environments. The first working feature 21, the second working feature 413, and the third working feature 414 of the present invention are described using a metal material as an example. This example is not intended to limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

[0034] Please refer to Figures 4 to 9. When the second rail 2 is unfolded under force, it displaces in a first direction D1. The first working feature 21 of the second rail 2 disengages from the third working feature 414 of the slider 41. After the second rail 2 displaces in the same direction to a first distance L1, the first working feature 21 of the second rail 2 abuts against the second working feature 413 of the slider 41. At this time, the first working feature 21 drives the second working feature 413, causing the slider 41 to displace in the same direction. The first movable space 410 is used to make way for the fixed plate 44, and the movable device TD is activated. The guide feature 4111 of the first long groove 411 is driven by the slider 41. The guide feature 4111 pushes the at least one movable member 42 to rotate, generating a resistance. The slider 41 If the displacement continues until at least one fixing member 43 abuts against one end of at least one second long groove 412 and one end of the fixing plate 44 abuts against one end of the first movable space 410, then the at least one fixing member 43 and the fixing plate 44 are used to limit the movement of the slider 41, so that the second rail 2 can be extended to the end of the stroke and stop the displacement.

[0035] Please refer to Figure 9. When the second rail 2 extends relative to the first rail 1 to the end of its travel, the technician can understand that by using an anti-detachment component (not shown in the figure) located on the first rail 1, the second rail 2 can be stopped at the end of its travel. The anti-detachment component can be used to disassemble the second rail 2 relative to the first rail 1 at the end of its travel or to move it in the retracting direction. The second rail 2 is connected to a server chassis (not shown in the figure). When the technician pulls out or pushes back the server chassis, the second rail 2 will move along with the server chassis.

[0036] Continuing from the above, when the anti-drop component fails, the fixing plate 44 can abut against the first movable space 410 to prevent the slider 41 from displacing in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, thereby preventing the server chassis located on the second rail 2 from accidentally falling off or accidentally closing relative to the first rail 1. In addition, the at least one fixing member 43 is used to prevent the slider 41 from vertically swaying relative to one side of the first rail 1.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 5, 10, and 11. When the second rail 2 is subjected to force and retracts in a second direction D2, which is opposite to the first direction D1, the first working feature 21 of the second rail 2 disengages from the second working feature 413 of the slider 41. After the second rail 2 continues to move in the same direction to a second distance L2, the first working feature 21 of the second rail 2 abuts against the third working feature 414 of the slider 41. The first working feature 21 drives the slider 41 to move in the same direction. The other actions are opposite to the above actions and will not be described again here.

[0038] Continuing from the above, at least one movable member 42 is a damping gear, and the guide feature 4111 is a rack integrally formed on the first long groove 411. The at least one movable member 42 meshes with the guide feature 4111. When the first working feature 21 drives the second working feature 413 of the slider 41 to continue to move in the same direction, the guide feature 4111 is driven by the slider 41 and pushes the at least one movable member 42 to rotate, forming the resistance, so that the second rail 2 unfolds relative to the first rail 1 to the end of the stroke.

[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one movable member 42 is a rolling bearing (not shown in the figure), and the guiding feature 4111 is a plurality of arc-shaped protrusions (not shown in the figure). The rolling bearing presses against the arc-shaped protrusions. The mating components, structure, and direction of action are the same as those described in the previous paragraph, and will not be repeated here.

[0040] In view of this, the slide rail with a buffer mechanism disclosed in this invention includes: a first rail 1, a second rail 2, and a buffer mechanism 4. The second rail 2 is displaceable relative to the first rail 1. One end of the second rail 2 is provided with the first working feature 21. The buffer mechanism 4 is disposed on one side of the first rail 1. The buffer mechanism 4 has a slider 41 and a movable device TD. The slider 41 is movably disposed on one side of the first rail 1 and has a first elongated groove 411. The movable device TD is disposed in the first elongated groove 411. When the second rail 2 expands and contracts, it displaces in the same direction to a first distance. After L1 and a second distance L2, the first working feature 21 of the second rail 2 abuts against the slider 41, and the first working feature 21 then drives the slider 41 to continue to move in the same direction. At this time, the movable device TD generates a resistance to allow the second rail 2 to unfold and retract to the end of its stroke. Thus, when the second rail 2 unfolds and retracts, it moves in the same direction without resistance at the first distance L1 and the second distance L2. Only after the second rail 2 has moved in the same direction to the first distance L1 and the second distance L2 will the movable device TD generate the effect of resistance.

[0041]

[0042] 1: Track 1

[0043] 11: First mounting slot

[0044] 2: Second Track

[0045] 21: First working characteristic

[0046] 3: Second Track

[0047] 4: Buffer mechanism

[0048] 41: Slider

[0049] 410: First Activity Space

[0050] 411: First Long Slot

[0051] 4111: Guiding Features

[0052] 412: Second long slot

[0053] 413: Second working characteristic

[0054] 414: Third working characteristic

[0055] 42: Active parts

[0056] 43: Fasteners

[0057] 44: Fixing plate

[0058] 441: Second mounting slot

[0059] D1: First Direction

[0060] D2: Second Direction

[0061] L1: First distance

[0062] L2: Second distance

[0063] TD: Active device

Claims

1. A slide rail with a buffer mechanism, comprising: a first rail; a second rail displaceable relative to the first rail, wherein one end of the second rail is provided with a first working feature; and a buffer mechanism disposed on one side of the first rail, the buffer mechanism comprising a slider and a movable device, the slider being movably disposed on one side of the first rail, the slider having a first elongated groove, and the movable device being disposed within the first elongated groove; thereby, when the second rail expands and contracts, after the second rail is displaced in the same direction to a first distance and a second distance respectively, the first working feature of the second rail abuts against the slider, the first working feature then drives the slider to displace in the same direction, and the movable device generates a resistance to allow the second rail to expand and contract to the end of its travel.

2. The slide rail with a buffer mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the slide member is provided with a second working feature and a third working feature at two opposite ends, and the movable device is composed of at least one movable member and a guide feature, the guide feature extending horizontally on at least one side of the first long groove, the at least one movable member being disposed on the first rail, and the at least one movable member corresponding to the guide feature.

3. The slide rail with a buffer mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein when the second rail is displaced in the same direction relative to the first rail until the first working feature abuts against the second working feature and a third working feature respectively, and the first working feature drives the slide member to be displaced in the same direction, the guiding feature of the first long groove drives the at least one moving member to generate the resistance.

4. The slide rail with a buffer mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein the first rail has a first mounting groove, the buffer mechanism has a fixing plate located in the first mounting groove, and the slide member has a first movable space connected to the first long groove on one side adjacent to the first rail, and the fixing plate is disposed in the first movable space, and the at least one movable member is mounted on the fixing plate, and the at least one movable member is inserted into the first long groove through the first movable space.

5. A slide rail with a buffer mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein the at least one moving element is a damping gear and the guiding feature is a rack, the at least one damping gear engaging the rack.

6. A slide rail with a buffer mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein the at least one moving member is a rolling bearing, and the guiding feature is a plurality of arcuate protrusions, wherein the at least one rolling bearing presses against the plurality of arcuate protrusions.

7. The slide rail with a buffer mechanism as described in claim 2, wherein the second working feature and the third working feature are respectively assembled on the slide member and respectively aligned with the first working feature.

8. The slide rail with a buffer mechanism as described in claim 4, wherein the buffer mechanism has at least one fixing member, and the slide member of the buffer mechanism has at least one horizontally extending second long groove adjacent to the first long groove, the at least one fixing member passes through the at least one second long groove and is then locked to one side of the first rail, the at least one fixing member abuts against both ends of the at least one second long groove to limit the movement of the slide member.

9. A slide rail with a buffer mechanism as described in claim 1, wherein the first working feature is a rivet mounted at the end of the second rail and facing the first rail.

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