CN110398124B

CN110398124B - Meshing assembly, sliding rail mechanism with same, drawer and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN110398124B
Application number: CN201810379361.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王晶; 费斌; 朱小兵; 郭动
Original assignee: Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Qingdao Haier Special Refrigeration Electric Appliance Co Ltd
Current assignee: Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Qingdao Haier Special Refrigeration Electric Appliance Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-25
Filing date: 2018-04-25
Publication date: 2021-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-25
Also published as: CN110398124A

Abstract

The invention discloses an engagement assembly, a sliding rail mechanism with the engagement assembly, a drawer and a refrigerator, wherein the engagement assembly comprises a first engagement part matched with the drawer and a second engagement part matched with a box body, one of the first engagement part and the second engagement part is a gear, the other one of the first engagement part and the second engagement part is a rack, the rack is provided with a tooth surface for the gear to travel, the rack comprises a main rack and an extension rack, the main rack is provided with an accommodating space in an area, the extension rack is movably arranged in the accommodating space, when the drawer is in a closed state, the tooth surface is provided with a first travel length, when the drawer is in an opening process, the extension rack moves to the travel path of the gear to enable the tooth surface to be provided with a second travel length, when the drawer is in a closing process, the extension rack resets, and the first travel length is smaller than the second travel length. The length of the tooth surface of the rack is variable, and the length of the tooth surface is increased in the drawer opening process, so that the drawer can be pulled out for a longer distance, a user can conveniently store and take articles in the drawer, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Meshing assembly, sliding rail mechanism with same, drawer and refrigerator

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of household appliances, in particular to an engaging assembly, a sliding rail mechanism with the engaging assembly, a drawer and a refrigerator.

Background

At present, a refrigerator is a necessary household appliance in daily life of people, a drawer is usually arranged in the refrigerator, and articles needing to be refrigerated can be placed in the drawer for storage.

In the prior art, the drawer is usually opened and closed through a sliding rail, so that a user can take and place food conveniently.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide an engagement assembly, a sliding rail mechanism with the engagement assembly, a drawer and a refrigerator.

In order to achieve one of the above objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides an engaging assembly for assisting opening or closing of a drawer, the engaging assembly including a first engaging portion engaged with the drawer and a second engaging portion engaged with a box, one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion being a gear, the other being a rack, the rack having a tooth surface for the gear to travel, the rack including a main rack and an extension rack, the main rack having a receiving space in a region thereof, the extension rack being movably disposed in the receiving space, the tooth surface having a first travel length when the drawer is in a closed state, the extension rack moving to a travel path of the gear so that the tooth surface has a second travel length when the drawer is in an opening process, the extension rack being reset when the drawer is in a closing process, the first stroke length is less than the second stroke length.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the first engaging portion is a gear, and the second engaging portion is a rack.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the main rack includes a first end and a second end which are opposite to each other, a direction of the first end toward the second end is a drawer opening direction, an area close to the second end is provided with an accommodating space, and when the drawer is in an opening process, the extension rack moves in the accommodating space so that the extension rack protrudes out of the second end in a direction away from the first end.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the main rack has a main tooth surface, and the extended rack has an extended tooth surface, and when the drawer is in an opening process, the extended rack moves in the accommodating space so that the extended tooth surface and the main tooth surface are spliced into a continuous tooth surface.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving space includes a bottom portion far from the main tooth surface and a top portion near the main tooth surface, the extension rack is located between the bottom portion and the top portion when the drawer is in the closed state, and the extension rack moves near the top surface when the drawer is in the opening process, so that the extension tooth surface and the main tooth surface are spliced into a continuous tooth surface.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the main tooth surface includes a rear main tooth surface located in the middle area between the crown portion and the first end portion and a front main tooth surface located at the crown portion, and the rear main tooth surface and the front main tooth surface are continuous tooth surfaces.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the engaging assembly further includes a driving member, the extension rack has an adapter portion engaged with the driving member, the driving member abuts against the adapter portion when the drawer is in the closed state so that the extension rack is located between the bottom portion and the top portion, the driving member is disengaged from the adapter portion so that the extension rack is moved close to the top surface when the drawer is in the opening process, and the driving member abuts against the adapter portion so that the extension rack is moved close to the bottom portion when the drawer is in the closing process.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, an elastic member is disposed between the extension rack and the bottom portion, and when the driving member is disengaged from the adapting portion, the elastic member drives the extension rack to move close to the top portion.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the accommodating space has a side wall connecting the bottom and the top, the side wall is provided with at least one stroke slot, the extension rack is provided with a convex portion matched with the stroke slot, and when the driving member is separated from the adapting portion, the convex portion slides in the stroke slot to drive the extension rack to move close to the top.

As a further improvement of the embodiment of the present invention, an included angle is formed between the stroke groove and the bottom portion in a direction away from the first end portion, and the included angle is an acute angle.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the accommodating space has two side walls disposed oppositely, and each side wall has two parallel travel grooves.

In order to achieve one of the above objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides a slide rail mechanism, including the engaging component according to any one of the above technical solutions and a slide rail component cooperating with the engaging component.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding rail assembly has an upper rail, a middle rail and a lower rail that are slidably engaged with each other, the lower rail is connected to the box body, the middle rail is movably connected to the upper rail and the lower rail, the upper rail is connected to the drawer, the gear is connected to the upper rail, and the rack is connected to the box body and/or the lower rail.

As a further improvement of an embodiment of the present invention, the slide rail mechanism includes two slide rail assemblies and two engaging assemblies located at two opposite sides of the drawer, and the two gears are connected by a connecting rod.

In order to achieve one of the above objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides a drawer including the above-mentioned slide rail mechanism.

In order to achieve one of the above objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator including the drawer as described above.

Compared with the prior art, the invention has the beneficial effects that: the length of the tooth surface of the rack is variable, and the length of the tooth surface is increased in the drawer opening process, so that the drawable distance of the drawer is increased, a user can conveniently store and take articles in the drawer, and the user experience is improved; in addition, the length of the tooth surface is increased only in the opening process of the drawer, the length of the tooth surface is smaller in the closed state, and the existence of the extension rack does not hinder the normal opening and closing process of the drawer.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drawer in a closed position according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a closed state of the slide rail mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an open state of a drawer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an open state of the slide rail mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the present invention in a drawer closed position;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the engagement of the primary rack with the extension rack of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is another angular schematic view of the primary rack of the first embodiment of the present invention mated with the extension rack;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the drawer in an open state according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a gear and rack schematic of other embodiments;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the present invention in a drawer closed position;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a drawer in an open state according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the engagement of the main rack and the extension rack in an open state of the drawer according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

18-21 are mating schematic views of a master rack, an extension rack, of other embodiments;

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the present invention in a drawer closed position;

FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of the main rack area of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is an exploded view of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of the present invention with the master rack omitted;

FIG. 26 is an exploded view of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of the extension rack and drive member combination of the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the present invention showing the drawer in an open position;

fig. 29 is a schematic view of a drawer resetting process according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments shown in the drawings. These embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention, and structural, methodological, or functional changes made by those skilled in the art according to these embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

In the various illustrations of the present application, certain dimensions of structures or portions may be exaggerated relative to other structures or portions for ease of illustration and, thus, are provided to illustrate only the basic structure of the subject matter of the present application.

Also, terms used herein such as "upper," "above," "lower," "below," and the like, denote relative spatial positions of one element or feature with respect to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures for ease of description. The spatially relative positional terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator (not shown), and the specific structure of the refrigerator can refer to the description of the refrigerator in the prior art, which is not described herein again.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a drawer 400 is provided in a refrigerator body 500, and the drawer 400 can be opened or closed with respect to the refrigerator body 500.

The drawer 400 includes a drawer body 401 and a drawer door 402 connected to the drawer body 401, and the drawer door 402 is operated to drive the drawer body 401 to move in and out of the cabinet 500.

The drawer 400 further includes a sliding rail mechanism 300, the sliding rail mechanism 300 is disposed between the drawer 400 and the box 500, and the sliding rail mechanism 300 is used to assist the drawer 400 to open or close relative to the box 500.

The slide rail mechanism 300 includes the engaging component 100 and the slide rail component 200 which are matched with each other.

In the present embodiment, with reference to fig. 3 and 4, the sliding rail mechanism 300 includes two sliding rail assemblies 200 and two engaging assemblies 100 located at opposite sides of the drawer 400, but not limited thereto.

Here, the two engaging elements 100 (and the two sliding elements 200) are divided to be located at the left and right sides of the drawer 400, but not limited thereto, and the two engaging elements 100 (and the two sliding elements 200) may be distributed in other forms.

The sliding rail assembly 200 has an upper rail 201, a middle rail 202 and a lower rail 203 which are matched with each other in a sliding way, the lower rail 203 is connected with the box body 500, the middle rail 202 is movably connected with the upper rail 201 and the lower rail 203, and the upper rail 201 is connected with the drawer 400.

When the drawer is used, the lower rail 203 is fixed, and the middle rail 202 and the upper rail 201 can be opened or closed relative to the lower rail 203, so that the drawer 400 is driven to be opened or closed in the box body 500, that is, the lower rail 203 is a fixed rail, and the middle rail 202 and the upper rail 201 are movable rails.

The engaging assembly 100 is used to assist the drawer 400 in opening or closing.

The engaging assembly 100 includes a first engaging part 10 engaged with the drawer 400 and a second engaging part 20 engaged with the cabinet 500.

The first engaging portion 10 is provided at the upper rail 201.

Here, a bracket 204 is further connected to a side of the upper rail 201 away from the lower rail 203, the upper rail 201 and the bracket 204 are fixed to each other, and the first engaging portion 10 substantially cooperates with the bracket 204.

Connecting pieces 403 are also arranged at two ends of the drawer door body 402 and between the two brackets 204.

Here, the connecting piece 403 is fixed to the bracket 204 and the door body 402, and the drawer body 401 is also fixed to the bracket 204, so that the door body 402 and the drawer body 401 are fixed to each other.

The second engaging portion 20 is connected to the case 500 and/or the lower rail 203.

Here, a fixing frame 205 is connected to one end of the second engaging portion 20, a cavity is formed between the second engaging portion 20 and the fixing frame 205, the upper rail 201, the middle rail 202, the lower rail 203, and the bracket 204 are located in the cavity, and the fixing frame 205 and the lower rail 203 are fixed to each other.

It should be noted that the positions of the first engaging portion 10 and the second engaging portion 20 are not limited to the above description, and according to practical situations, it is only necessary to ensure that the first engaging portion 10 and the second engaging portion 20 can cooperate with each other to drive the drawer 400 to open or close relative to the box 500.

In the present embodiment, one of the first engaging portion 10 and the second engaging portion 20 is a gear, and the other is a rack.

In the present embodiment, the first engagement portion 10 is taken as the gear 10, and the second engagement portion 20 is taken as the rack 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Here, the gear 10 is an independent gear, and in other embodiments, the gear 10 may be a gear set formed by a plurality of gears.

The rack 20 has a tooth surface 21 on which the pinion 10 travels, and the rack 20 includes a main rack 22 and an extended rack 23.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, when the drawer 400 is in the closed state, the tooth surface 21 has a first stroke length L1, referring to fig. 5 and 6, when the drawer 400 is in the opening process, the extension rack 23 moves to the travel path of the gear 10 such that the tooth surface 21 has a second stroke length L2, and when the drawer 400 is in the closing process, the extension rack 23 is reset, and the first stroke length L1 is smaller than the second stroke length L2.

Here, the "tooth surface 21" refers to an area where the gear 10 can roll, and the "travel path of the gear 10" refers to an area where the gear 10 passes during the entrance and exit of the drawer 400.

In addition, the extension rack 23 may be in a moving state in the whole opening process of the drawer 400, or the extension rack 23 starts to move after the drawer 400 is opened for a certain distance, or the drawer 400 is still in the opening process after the extension rack 23 is moved, which may be determined according to the actual situation.

It can be seen that the length of the tooth surface 21 of the rack 20 of the present embodiment is variable, and the length of the tooth surface 21 is increased in the opening process of the drawer 400, so that the drawable distance of the drawer 400 is increased, which is convenient for a user to store articles in the drawer 400 and improves user experience; in addition, the length of the tooth surface 21 is increased only during the opening process of the drawer 400, the length of the tooth surface 21 is smaller in the closed state, and the existence of the extension rack 23 does not hinder the normal opening and closing process of the drawer 400.

It should be noted that, since the sliding rail assemblies 200 are further disposed on the left and right sides of the drawer 400, the traveling process of the drawer 400 can be further controlled by the sliding rail assemblies 200, and the gear 10 can be prevented from directly separating from the rack 20 during the opening process of the drawer 400.

In this embodiment, two gears 10 are disposed on the left and right sides of the drawer 400, the two gears 10 are connected by a connecting rod 30, and the two gears 10 move synchronously, so as to prevent the drawer 400 from shaking or being jammed during the opening and closing process.

In addition, a support rod 50 is connected between the two brackets 204, the support rod 50 is disposed near the connecting rod 30, and the support rod 50 is used for supporting the drawer body 401.

It can be seen that the drawer 400 of the present embodiment can ensure synchronization during the moving process, and can also ensure that the drawer 400 has a sufficient pull-out distance, and especially for the drawer 400 with a heavy weight, the stability of the whole moving process of the drawer 400 can be ensured.

In the present embodiment, the engaging assembly 100 further includes a driving member 40, the extension rack 23 is movably connected to the main rack 22, and the driving member 40 is used for controlling the extension rack 23 to move relative to the main rack 22 to realize the change of the length of the tooth surface 21.

It will be appreciated that the extension rack 23 need not be movably connected to the main rack 22, and the extension rack 23 may be movably connected to other areas, for example, the extension rack 23 is movably connected to the box 500, but it is only necessary to ensure that the driving member 40 can act on the extension rack 23 to move to realize the change of the length of the tooth surface 21.

The main rack 22 includes a first end 221 and a second end 222 disposed opposite to each other, and a direction from the first end 221 to the second end 222 is an opening direction of the drawer 400.

Here, the first end 221 and the second end 222 are defined as opposite sides of the main rack 22.

The master rack 22 has a master tooth surface 223 and the extension rack 23 has an extension tooth surface 231.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, when drawer 400 is in the closed position, tooth surface 21 has a first stroke length L1.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6, when the drawer 400 is in the opening process, the driving member 40 drives the extension rack 23 to move.

When the drawer 400 is in the open state, the driving member 40 drives the extension rack 23 to move to the travel path of the gear 10, the extension rack 23 protrudes out of the second end 222 in the direction away from the first end 221, and the extension tooth surface 231 and the main tooth surface 223 are spliced into a continuous tooth surface, at this time, the tooth surface 21 has the second travel length L2 in addition to the portion of the extension rack 23 protruding out of the second end 222, and the drawer 400 can be pulled out for a longer distance.

Here, "continuous tooth surface" means that the gear 10 can travel continuously on the tooth surface without interruption.

When the drawer 400 is in the closing process, the driving member 40 drives the extension rack 23 to move.

When the drawer 400 is in the closed position, the extension rack 23 is reset such that the tooth surface 21 resumes the first stroke length L1.

It is understood that the "closed state" means that the drawer 400 is completely accommodated in the cabinet 500, the "open state" means that the drawer 400 is completely opened, the "open process" means a process in which the drawer 400 is changed from the closed state to the open state, and the "closed process" means a process in which the drawer 400 is changed from the open state to the closed state.

The operation of the engaging unit 100 and the slide rail unit 200 according to the present embodiment may be controlled by an electric motor.

Next, specific examples of the engaging assembly 100 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

Referring to fig. 7-12, a first embodiment of the engagement assembly 100 is shown.

Referring to fig. 7 and 8, the engaging assembly 100 includes a gear 10 connected to a bracket 204 and a rack 20 connected to a case 500 or a lower rail 203.

The rack 20 includes a main rack 22 and an extension rack 23.

The extension rack 23 is pivotally connected to the second end 222 of the main rack 22.

Specifically, with reference to fig. 9 to 11, one end of the extension rack 23 has a concave portion 232, two sides of the concave portion 232 are provided with two openings 233, the second end portion 222 of the main rack 22 is inserted into the concave portion 232, and two sides of the second end portion 222 are provided with protrusions 2221 matched with the openings 233, so that the extension rack 23 can rotate relative to the second end portion 222 of the main rack 22.

The second end 222 of the main rack 22 is provided with a stopper (2222, 2223).

Here, the stopper includes stopper teeth 2222 and stopper surfaces 2223.

The limiting teeth 2222 are tooth-shaped structures located on the front end surface of the second end portion 222, and the limiting teeth 2222 may be a continuation of the main rack 22, that is, the tooth structure of the limiting teeth 2222 is identical to the tooth structure of the main rack 22, but not limited thereto.

The spacing teeth 2222 and the main rack 22 may be integrally formed, or may be assembled together after being formed separately.

Alternatively, the main rack 22 is formed by splicing two parts, and a part close to the extension rack 23 is provided with a limit tooth 2222.

The spacing teeth 2222 are interfitted with the extension rack 23.

The limiting surface 2223 is located on the rotation path of the extension rack 23, and the limiting surface 2223 of the present embodiment is located in the area of the protrusion 2221.

The side of the extension rack 23 has an adapting surface 234 that mates with the stop surface 2223.

A return torsion spring 24 is disposed at a pivot connection position of the extension rack 23 and the main rack 22, and the return torsion spring 24 is sleeved at the at least one protrusion 2221.

Referring to fig. 12, engagement assembly 100 further includes a drive member 40.

Here, the driving member 40 is a slope on the bracket 204, and the driving member 40 may be directly formed by cutting a curved portion of the bracket 204, but not limited thereto.

The extension rack 23 has an adapter 235 that cooperates with the driver 40, where the adapter 235 is a rib of the extension rack 23 extending away from the drawer 400.

Referring to fig. 7, when the drawer 400 is in the closed state, the driving member 40 is away from the extension rack 23, the return torsion spring 24 applies a force to the extension rack 23 to rotate in a direction close to the second end 222, the lower end of the extension rack 23 is engaged with the limiting teeth 2222, the fitting surface 234 of the extension rack 23 is interfered with the limiting surface 2223, the extension rack 23 cannot rotate in a direction close to the second end 222, and the extension rack 23 and the main rack 22 are in a relatively stationary state.

Referring to fig. 12, when the drawer 400 is in the opening process, the driving member 40 gradually approaches and contacts the adapter 235, the driving member 40 acts on the adapter 235 to rotate the extension rack 23 in the direction away from the second end 222, the extension rack 23 protrudes out of the second end 222 in the direction away from the first end 221, and the extension tooth surface 231 gradually splices with the main tooth surface 223 to form a continuous tooth surface.

When the drawer 400 is in the open state, the extended tooth surface 231 is in the horizontal state, and the gear 10 abuts against one end of the extended tooth surface 231 far from the second end 222 to prevent the extended rack 23 from rotating in the direction close to the second end 222.

When the drawer 400 is in a closing process, the driving member 40 gradually disengages from the adapting portion 235, the restoring torsion spring 24 restores to drive the extension rack 23 to rotate toward the direction close to the second end portion 222, and when the extension rack 23 rotates to contact the limiting portion (i.e., the lower end of the extension rack 23 is engaged with the limiting teeth 2222, and the adapting surface 234 of the extension rack 23 interferes with the limiting surface 2223), the extension rack 23 cannot continue to rotate toward the direction close to the second end portion 222.

Here, when the drawer 400 is in the closed state, an included angle between the extension rack 23 and the main rack 22 is 30 ° to 120 °, and preferably, the included angle between the extension rack 23 and the main rack 22 is an acute angle, but not limited thereto.

In addition, one end of the extension rack 23 far from the second end 222 may be a two-segment pivot connection structure, so that when the drawer 400 is in a closed state, the two-segment pivot connection structure may be folded in half to reduce the occupied space of the extension rack 23, and may be changed in angle, and at this time, the extension rack 23 with a sufficiently long expansion length may be accommodated in a limited space, so as to further increase the drawable distance of the drawer 400.

In this embodiment, the gear 10 is disposed on the upper rail 201, the gear 10 enters and exits with the drawer 400, and the rack 20 is fixedly disposed on the box 500 or the lower rail 203.

In other embodiments, the positions of the gear 10 and the rack 20 may be interchanged, as described in connection with fig. 13.

Specifically, the gear 10 'is fixed at the front end of the box 500, that is, the gear 10' is fixed at the opening of the box 500, the rack 20 'is fixed at the bracket 204, the rack 20' includes a main rack 22 'and an extension rack 23' which are pivotally connected, the extension rack 23 'is located at the rear end of the main rack 22', and a return torsion spring is disposed at the pivotal connection of the extension rack 23 'and the main rack 22'.

When the drawer 400 is in the closed state, the return torsion spring applies a force to the extension rack 23 'to rotate in a direction approaching the main rack 22', and the extension rack 23 'and the main rack 22' are folded in half and are relatively stationary.

When the drawer 400 is in an opening process, the main rack 22 ' is firstly provided for the gear 10 ' to travel, and when the drawer travels to the junction of the main rack 22 ' and the extension rack 23 ', the gear 10 ' drives the extension rack 23 ' to rotate towards a direction away from the main rack 22 ', so that the drawer 400 can be further pulled out, and the pull-out distance of the drawer 400 is increased.

When the drawer 400 is in a closing process, the extension rack 23 ' is firstly provided for the gear 10 ' to travel, when the drawer travels to the junction of the main rack 22 ' and the extension rack 23 ', the gear 10 ' is gradually separated from the extension rack 23 ', the extension rack 23 ' is gradually rotated towards the direction close to the main rack 22 ' under the action of the reset torsion spring, and the extension rack 23 ' is reset.

It should be noted that the embodiment may also include structures such as a driving element, and other descriptions of the embodiment may refer to the description of the previous embodiment, which is not described herein again.

In addition, in this embodiment, the gear 10 'is not necessarily fixed to the front end of the case 500', and for example, the gear 10 'may be movably disposed in the middle of the case 500' or the like.

Referring to fig. 14-17, a second embodiment of an engagement assembly 100a is shown.

Here, for convenience of explanation, the same or functionally similar structures are given the same names.

The engaging assembly 100a includes a gear 10a coupled to a bracket 204a and a rack 20a coupled to a housing or a lower rail.

The rack 20a includes a main rack 22a and an extension rack 23 a.

The master rack 22a has a master tooth surface 223a, and the extension rack 23a has an extension tooth surface 231 a.

The main rack 22a includes a first end 221a and a second end 222a, which are opposite to each other, and the direction from the first end 221a to the second end 222a is the opening direction of the drawer 400.

An accommodating space S1 is formed in a region of the main rack 22a near the second end 222a, and the extension rack 23a is movably disposed in the accommodating space S1.

Specifically, the accommodation space S1 includes a bottom S11 distant from the leading tooth surface 223a and a top S12 close to the leading tooth surface 223 a.

Here, the bottom S11 is a lower end region of the accommodating space S1, the bottom S11 may be, for example, a portion of the box 500 directly, and the top S12 is an upper end opening of the accommodating space S1.

The receiving space S1 has a sidewall S13 connecting the bottom S11 and the top S12.

Here, the accommodating space S1 is exemplified to have two side walls S13 oppositely disposed.

The side wall S13 is provided with at least one stroke slot S131, and the extension rack 23a is provided with a convex portion 232a engaged with the stroke slot S131.

Here, two stroke slots S131 are provided on each side wall S13 in parallel.

An included angle is formed between the stroke groove S131 and the bottom portion S11 in a direction away from the first end portion 221a, and the included angle is an acute angle.

An elastic piece 24a is arranged between the extension rack 23a and the bottom part S11.

Here, the elastic member 24a is a plurality of springs uniformly distributed.

Engagement assembly 100a also includes a drive member 40 a.

Here, the driving member 40a is a protruding part on the connecting piece 403a, and the driving member 40a has a tooth abutting surface with a slanted shape, but not limited thereto.

The extension rack 23a has an adapter 235a that cooperates with the driving member 40a, where the adapter 235a is a portion of one of the teeth of the extension rack 23a that protrudes toward a region near the bracket 204 a.

Referring to fig. 14 and 15, when the drawer 400 is in the closed state, the driving member 40a abuts against the adapting portion 235a, the elastic member 24a is compressed, the extension rack 23a is located between the bottom portion S11 and the top portion S12, and the extension tooth surface 231a is in a horizontal state.

Referring to fig. 16 and 17, when the drawer 400 is in the opening process, the driving member 40a gradually disengages from the adapting portion 235a as the drawer 400 moves away from the first end 221a, and then the elastic member 24a resets to drive the extension rack 23a to move in the accommodating space S1 close to the top portion S12, and the extension tooth surface 231a gradually splices with the main tooth surface 223a to form a continuous tooth surface.

Here, the rising height of the extended tooth surface 231a may be controlled by controlling the elasticity of the elastic piece 24a so that the extended tooth surface 231a rises just flush with the main tooth surface 223a (i.e., the extended tooth surface 231a is spliced with the main tooth surface 223a to form a continuous tooth surface), or by providing a stopper at the top S12.

In addition, the protrusion 232a slides in the stroke slot S131 to drive the extension rack 23a to move close to the top portion S12, and since the stroke slot S131 is an inclined stroke slot, when the extension rack 23a moves close to the top portion S12, the extension rack 23a also moves substantially in a direction away from the first end portion 221a to protrude out of the second end portion 222 a.

When the drawer 400 is in the open state, the extended tooth surface 231a is flush with the main tooth surface 223a to form a continuous tooth surface.

When the drawer 400 is in the closing process, the driving member 40a abuts against the adapting portion 235a to move the extension rack 23a close to the bottom portion S11, the elastic member 24a is compressed, and the extension rack 23a is reset.

In the present embodiment, the main tooth surfaces 223a include a rear main tooth surface 2231a located in a middle area between the top portion S12 and the first end portion 221a and a front main tooth surface 2232a located at the top portion S12, and the rear main tooth surface 2231a and the front main tooth surface 2232a are continuous tooth surfaces.

As such, when the extended tooth surface 231a rises to the top S12, the extended tooth surface 231a is substantially located between the two rows of the front main tooth surfaces 2232a, and the extended tooth surfaces 231a and the respective teeth of the front main tooth surfaces 2232a are aligned with each other.

The benefits of providing the front main toothed surface 2232a are: (1) when there is a certain error in the alignment between the extended tooth surface 231a and the front main tooth surface 2232a, the adjustment can be performed by the front main tooth surface 2232 a; (2) when the extended tooth surface 231a and the rear main tooth surface 2231a are not butted (i.e., there is a space between the extended tooth surface 231a and the rear main tooth surface 2231 a), the front main tooth surface 2232a may compensate for the space between the extended tooth surface 231a and the rear main tooth surface 2231a, so that the gear 10a may travel continuously, in other words, the precision requirement for the extended tooth surface 231a may be reduced; (3) the tooth width of the extended tooth surface 231a formed in cooperation with the front main tooth surface 2232a becomes larger, and the stability of the engagement with the gear 10a can be improved.

The engagement of the extension rack 23a with the main rack 22a can take a variety of forms, as will be described by way of example.

Referring to fig. 18 and 19, the stroke groove S131' is a vertical stroke groove.

Referring to fig. 18, in the closed state of the drawer 400, the extension rack 23a 'is located between the bottom portion S11' and the top portion S12 ', and one end of the extension rack 23 a' protrudes out of the second end 222a 'of the main rack 22 a' by a first distance.

Referring to fig. 19, when the drawer 400 is in the opening process, the extension rack 23a ' is raised in the vertical direction by the limit of the stroke slot S131 ', and when the extension rack 23a ' is raised to the top portion S12 ', the extension tooth surface 231a ' is continuous with the rear main tooth surface 2231a ', and the extension rack 23a ' protrudes out of the second end 222a ' of the main rack 22a ' by the first distance.

Referring to fig. 20 and 21, the travel slot S131 ' is an inclined travel slot, and when the drawer is closed, the extension rack 23a ' is located between the bottom S11 ' and the top S12 ', and one end of the extension rack 23a ' protrudes out of the second end 222a ' of the main rack 22a ' by a second distance, and the other end of the extension rack 23a ' protrudes out of the rear main tooth surface 2231a ' (i.e. there is an overlapping area between the extension rack 23a ' and the rear main tooth surface 2231a ').

Referring to fig. 20, when the drawer 400 is opened, the extension rack 23a ″ is lifted upward in an inclined manner by the limit of the stroke slot S131 ', and when the extension rack 23 a' rises to the top portion S12 ', the extension rack 23 a' is continuous with the rear main rack surface 2231a ', and the extension rack 23 a' protrudes beyond the second end 222a 'of the main rack 22 a' by a distance greater than the second distance.

Referring to fig. 22-29, a third embodiment of an engagement assembly 100b is shown.

Referring to fig. 22 to 24, the engaging assembly 100b includes a gear 10b connected to the bracket 204b and a rack 20b connected to the casing or the lower rail.

The rack 20b includes a main rack 22b and an extension rack 23 b.

The master rack 22b has a master tooth surface 223b, and the extension rack 23b has an extension tooth surface 231 b.

The main rack 22b includes a first end 221b and a second end 222b opposite to each other, and a direction from the first end 221b to the second end 222b is a drawer opening direction.

The main rack 22b is provided with a receiving space S2 in a region close to the second end 222b, the extension rack 23b is movably disposed in the receiving space S2, and the extension rack 23b and the receiving space S2 are engaged with each other such that the extension tooth surface 231b and the main tooth surface 223b are always at the same height.

Here, the receiving cavity S2 is a cavity formed between the main rack 22b and the bracket 204 a.

Specifically, referring to fig. 25 to 27, the engaging assembly 100b further includes a driving member 40b, and the driving member 40b is connected to the extension rack 23 b.

Here, the driving member 40b includes a link 41b, a slider 42b, and a driving block 43 b.

The link 41b is a rigid link.

The link 41b is used for connecting the extension rack 23b and the slider 42b, the link 41b and the extension rack 23b are fixedly connected, and the link 41b and the slider 42b are rotatably connected, that is, the slider 42b can rotate relative to the link 41 b.

The slider 42b is provided with a notch 421b that engages the drive block 43 b.

The recess 421b is defined by a first protrusion 4211b and a second protrusion 4212b, the first protrusion 4211b is disposed near the second end 222b, and the second protrusion 4212b is disposed near the first end 221 b.

The driving block 43b is a rigid member in the middle of the bracket 204 b.

The driving member 40b further includes a return spring 44b connected to the slider 42 b.

The accommodating space S2 is provided therein with a fixing seat S22 accommodating the return spring 44 b.

The fixed seat S22 and the box body are fixed with each other.

One end of the return spring 44b is fixedly connected to the fixing seat S22, and the other end is connected to the slider 42 b.

The accommodating space S2 is provided therein with an accommodating groove S21 for accommodating the driving member 40b and the extension rack 23 b.

The holding groove S21 and the box body are fixed to each other, and one end of the holding groove S21 is connected with the fixing seat S22.

The receiving groove S21 includes two opposite sidewalls S211, each sidewall S211 has a first slot S2111, a second slot S2112 and a third slot S2113, and the lengths of the second slot S2112 and the third slot S2113 are equal.

The first slot S2111 includes a first segment S2111 'near the first end 221b and a second segment S2111' near the second end 222b, the second segment S2111 'being away from the major tooth surface 223b relative to the first segment S2111'.

That is, the first slot S2111 is an "L" shaped slot, and the second segment S2111 ″ extends downward relative to the first slot S2111.

The first slot S2111 and the second slot S2112 are substantially parallel, and the third slot S2113 is located below the first slot S2111.

Here, one end of the slider 42b near the notch 421b is provided with two connected first studs 422b, a side of the extension rack 23b is provided with a second stud 423b, and a joint of the slider 42b and the connecting rod 41b is provided with a third stud 424 b.

The first slot S2112 cooperates with the two first studs 422b to limit the moving direction of the slider 42b, the second slot S2112 cooperates with the second stud 423b to limit the moving direction of the extension rack 23b, and the third slot S2113 cooperates with the third stud 424b to limit the moving direction of the third stud 424 b.

Here, the connection point of the extension rack 23b and the link 41b is defined as a connection point, and a connection line between the connection point and the second and

third studs

423b and 424b forms an obtuse triangle, so that the structure is stable, and the stability of the movement of the extension rack 23b can be ensured.

Referring to fig. 22-27, when the drawer 400 is in the closed position, the drive block 43b is positioned within the recess 421b to interact with the slide block 42 b.

Referring to fig. 28, when the drawer 400 is in the opening process, the driving block 43b drives the extension rack 23b to move away from the first end 221b through the sliding block 42b and the connecting rod 41b, and the return spring 44b is stretched.

Specifically, referring to fig. 29, the driving block 43b drives the sliding block 42b to move from the first segment S2111 ' to the second segment S2111 ″, since the second segment S2111 ' is lower than the first segment S2111 ', the sliding block 42b rotates relative to the connecting rod 41b in the direction away from the first end 221b, the first salient point 4211b of the notch 421b inclines downward so that the driving block 43b is separated from the notch 421b, the sliding block 42b is located in the second segment S2111 ″, at this time, the extension rack 23b has moved in the direction away from the first end 221b to protrude out of the second end 222b, and the extension tooth surface 231b and the main tooth surface 223b are spliced to form a continuous tooth surface.

That is, since the extended tooth surface 231b is always at the same height as the major tooth surface 223b, the extended rack 23b can be protruded out of the second end 222b only by the horizontal movement of the extended rack 23 b.

When the drawer 400 is in the open state, the extended tooth surface 231b is flush with the main tooth surface 223b to form a continuous tooth surface.

When the drawer 400 is in the closing process, the driving block 43b drives the extending rack 23b to move toward the first end 221b through the sliding block 42b and the connecting rod 41 b.

Specifically, at this time, the slider 42b is located in the second section S2111 ', the first protruding point 4211b is in a downward inclined state, the driving block 43b enters the notch 421b over the first protruding point 4211b (i.e., the inclined protruding point), the return spring 44b returns to drive the slider 42b to rotate in a direction close to the first end 221b, the slider 42b returns to enable the driving block 43b to be matched with the notch 421b, the return spring 44b continues to act on the slider 42b, the first protruding point 4211b acts on the driving block 43b, the driving block 43b drives the slider 42b to move from the second section S2111 ' to the first section S2111 ', and then the return spring 44b continues to drive the driving block 43b, the connecting rod 41b and the extension rack 23b to move together in a direction toward the first end 221b through the slider 42b to return.

It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, the return spring 44b, the slider 42b and the driving block 43b are used to cooperate to return the engaging assembly 100b, and this return structure may also be combined with the first embodiment and the second embodiment, which is not described herein again.

In the present embodiment, the main tooth surfaces 223b include a rear main tooth surface 2231b near the first end 221b and a front main tooth surface 2232b near the second end 222b, and the rear main tooth surface 2231b and the front main tooth surface 2232b are continuous tooth surfaces.

When the drawer 400 is in the closed state, the extended tooth surface 231b is disposed adjacent to the front main tooth surface 2232b, and preferably, the extended tooth surface 23b, the front main tooth surface 2232b, and the rear main tooth surface 2231b are tightly engaged together.

When the drawer 400 is in the opening process, the extended tooth surface 231b moves in a direction away from the front main tooth surface 2232b so that the extended tooth surface 231b protrudes out of the second end 222 b.

When the drawer 400 is in the closing process, the extended tooth surface 231b is moved in a direction close to the front leading tooth surface 2232b to be reset.

The benefits of providing the front main toothed surface 2232b are: (1) when there is a certain error in the alignment between the extended tooth surface 231b and the front main tooth surface 2232b, the adjustment can be performed by the front main tooth surface 2232 b; (2) when the extended tooth surface 231b is not butted against the rear main tooth surface 2231b (i.e., there is a space between the extended tooth surface 231b and the rear main tooth surface 2231 b), the front main tooth surface 2232b may compensate for the space between the extended tooth surface 231b and the rear main tooth surface 2231b, so that the gear 10b may travel continuously, in other words, the precision requirement for the extended tooth surface 231b may be reduced; (3) the tooth width of the extended tooth surface 231b formed in cooperation with the front main tooth surface 2232b becomes larger, and the stability of the engagement with the gear 10b can be improved.

In addition, the total width formed by the extended tooth surface 231b and the front main tooth surface 2232b of the present embodiment is preferably greater than the width of the rear main tooth surface 2231b, so that on one hand, the stability of the engagement with the gear 10b can be improved, and on the other hand, the width of the extended tooth surface 231b can be appropriately large, so as to improve the stability of the horizontal movement of the extended rack 23 b.

It should be understood that although the present description refers to embodiments, not every embodiment contains only a single technical solution, and such description is for clarity only, and those skilled in the art should make the description as a whole, and the technical solutions in the embodiments can also be combined appropriately to form other embodiments understood by those skilled in the art.

The above-listed detailed description is only a specific description of a possible embodiment of the present invention, and they are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An engagement assembly for assisting opening or closing of a drawer is characterized in that the engagement assembly comprises a first engagement part matched with the drawer and a second engagement part matched with a box body, one of the first engagement part and the second engagement part is a gear, the other is a rack which is provided with a tooth surface for the gear to run, the rack comprises a main rack and an extension rack, the main rack area is provided with an accommodating space, the extension rack is movably arranged in the accommodating space, the tooth surface has a first travel length when the drawer is in a closed condition and a second travel length when the drawer is in an open condition, the extended rack moves onto the travel path of the gear such that the tooth surface has a second travel length, when the drawer is in a closing process, the extension rack is reset, and the first stroke length is smaller than the second stroke length;

the first meshing part is a gear, and the second meshing part is a rack; the main rack comprises a first end part and a second end part which are oppositely arranged, the direction of the first end part towards the second end part is the drawer opening direction, and an area close to the second end part is provided with an accommodating space;

the main rack is provided with a main tooth surface, the extension rack is provided with an extension tooth surface, and when the drawer is in an opening process, the extension rack moves in the accommodating space so that the extension tooth surface and the main tooth surface are spliced into a continuous tooth surface;

the accommodating space comprises a bottom far away from the main tooth surface and a top close to the main tooth surface, the main tooth surface comprises a rear main tooth surface and a front main tooth surface, the rear main tooth surface is located in the middle area of the top and the first end portion, the front main tooth surface is located at the top, the rear main tooth surface and the front main tooth surface are continuous tooth surfaces, the front main tooth surface comprises two rows of main tooth surfaces, when the extending tooth surface rises to the top, the extending tooth surface is located between the two rows of main tooth surfaces of the front main tooth surface, and the extending tooth surface and each tooth of the front main tooth surface are aligned with each other.

2. The engagement assembly of claim 1, further comprising a drive member, the extension rack having an adapter portion that mates with the drive member, the drive member abutting the adapter portion such that the extension rack is positioned between the bottom portion and the top portion when the drawer is in the closed position, the drive member disengaging the adapter portion such that the extension rack moves closer to the top portion when the drawer is in the open position, and the drive member abutting the adapter portion such that the extension rack moves closer to the bottom portion when the drawer is in the closed position.

3. The engagement assembly of claim 2, wherein a resilient member is disposed between the extension rack and the base, the resilient member urging the extension rack toward the top portion when the driving member is disengaged from the adapter portion.

4. The engagement assembly of claim 3, wherein the receiving space has a side wall connecting the bottom portion and the top portion, the side wall having at least one travel slot, the extension rack having a protrusion that engages the travel slot, the protrusion sliding within the travel slot to move the extension rack toward the top portion when the driving member is disengaged from the engagement portion.

5. The engagement assembly of claim 4, wherein the travel slot and the base define an included angle therebetween in a direction away from the first end, the included angle being acute.

6. The engagement assembly of claim 5, wherein the receiving space has two oppositely disposed side walls, each side wall having two parallel travel slots.

7. A slide rail mechanism comprising an engagement member according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a slide rail member cooperating with the engagement member.

8. The slide rail mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the slide rail assembly has an upper rail, a middle rail and a lower rail which are slidably engaged with each other, the lower rail is connected to the box body, the middle rail is movably connected to the upper rail and the lower rail, the upper rail is connected to the drawer, the gear is connected to the upper rail, and the rack is connected to the box body and/or the lower rail.

9. The slide rail mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the slide rail mechanism comprises two slide rail components and two engaging components located at two opposite sides of the drawer, and the two gears are connected by a connecting rod.

10. A drawer comprising the slide mechanism of claim 7.

11. A refrigerator characterized by comprising the drawer according to claim 10.