CN111629555B

CN111629555B - Slide rail mechanism and support assembly thereof

Info

Publication number: CN111629555B
Application number: CN201910145521.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈庚金; 杨顺和; 张维成; 王俊强
Original assignee: King Slide Works Co Ltd; King Slide Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: King Slide Works Co Ltd; King Slide Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-27
Filing date: 2019-02-27
Publication date: 2022-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-27
Also published as: CN111629555A

Abstract

The invention relates to a slide rail mechanism and a support assembly thereof. The slide rail assembly comprises a first rail, a second rail and a third rail which are movably arranged between the first rail and the second rail. The second rail can be displaced relative to the first rail. The second rail is provided with a mounting device; the support assembly comprises a support member and a connecting device arranged on the support member. Wherein, the connecting device is used for connecting the mounting device.

Description

Slide rail mechanism and support assembly thereof

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a slide rail, and more particularly, to a slide rail mechanism and a support assembly thereof.

Background

Generally, in a rack system, a pair of slide assemblies mounted on a rack are usually used to carry a load. The carrier is, for example, an electronic device. Therefore, a cable management mechanism is also disposed in the rack system to support cables (cable) behind the electronic devices.

For example, U.S. patent publication No. US 7,554,819B 2 discloses a pair of three-section slide rail assemblies, wherein one slide rail assembly may be provided with a wire arranging mechanism having two oppositely pivoted wire arranging arms. One end of one wire arranging arm is connected with the outer rail (such as a fixed rail), and one end of the other wire arranging arm is connected with the movable rail (such as an inner rail). Further, a supporting rail is used to support the bottom of the wire arranging mechanism, one of the two ends of the supporting rail is connected to the middle rail of a sliding rail assembly, so that the supporting rail can move along with the middle rail (see fig. 14 and 15).

For example, U.S. patent publication No. US 7,712,615B 2 discloses a pair of three-section slide rail assemblies, wherein one slide rail assembly may be provided with a wire arranging mechanism having two oppositely pivoted wire arranging arms. One end of one wire arranging arm is connected with the outer rail (such as a fixed rail), and one end of the other wire arranging arm is connected with the movable rail (such as an inner rail). Further, a supporting rail is used to support the bottom of the wire arranging mechanism, two ends of the supporting rail are movably installed in the channels of the outer rails (such as the fixed rails) of the pair of slide rail assemblies, and when the two wire arranging arms are driven to unfold in response to the displacement of the second rail (the middle rail), the supporting rail is also linked accordingly (this part can be referred to as fig. 3).

For example, U.S. patent publication No. US 7,472,795B 2 discloses a pair of slide rail assemblies, wherein one slide rail assembly may be provided with a wire management mechanism having two oppositely pivoted wire management arms. One end of one wire arranging arm is connected with the outer rail (such as a fixed rail), and one end of the other wire arranging arm is connected with the movable rail (such as an inner rail). Further, a supporting rail is used to support the bottom of the wire arranging mechanism, and both ends of the supporting rail are movably mounted in the channel of the outer rail (e.g. the fixed rail) (see fig. 4 and 5).

Therefore, the supporting rail members discussed in the three patents are not connected to the inner rail of the three-section slide rail; alternatively, the connection mechanism or operation between the support rail member and the slide rail may not necessarily satisfy the specific requirements of the market. Therefore, how to develop a different product becomes an issue that cannot be ignored.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a slide rail mechanism and a support assembly thereof.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a slide rail mechanism includes a first slide rail assembly and a support assembly. The first slide rail assembly comprises a first rail, a second rail and a third rail which are movably arranged between the first rail and the second rail, the second rail can longitudinally move relative to the first rail, wherein the second rail of the first slide rail assembly is provided with a first mounting device; the support assembly comprises a support member and a first connecting device arranged on the support member, wherein the first connecting device is used for connecting the first mounting device.

Preferably, the slide rail mechanism further comprises a second slide rail assembly having a three-section slide rail structure substantially identical to the first slide rail assembly, the second rail of the second slide rail assembly is provided with a second mounting device, and the support member is further provided with a second connecting device, wherein the first connecting device and the second connecting device are respectively used for detachably connecting the first mounting device and the second mounting device.

Preferably, the supporting member is substantially transversely disposed with respect to the length direction of each slide rail assembly, and the first connecting device and the second connecting device are respectively disposed at end positions of two portions adjacent to the supporting member.

Preferably, one of the first mounting device and the first connecting device includes at least one latching feature, and the other of the first mounting device and the first connecting device includes a latching member for latching the at least one latching feature.

Preferably, the at least one latching feature includes a first latching feature, a second latching feature, and a third latching feature, and the latching member includes a latching portion for selectively latching one of the first latching feature, the second latching feature, and the third latching feature.

Preferably, the first detent feature, the second detent feature and the third detent feature are spaced apart from one another by a longitudinal distance.

Preferably, the support member has a front portion, a rear portion and a middle portion between the front portion and the rear portion, the front portion and the rear portion being connected to the middle portion substantially perpendicularly.

Preferably, the slide rail mechanism further comprises a base, and the engaging member further comprises an operating portion and a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion is located between the operating portion and the engaging portion, and the connecting portion is connected to the base.

Preferably, the connecting portion is fixedly connected to the base, the operating portion extends from the latching portion, and the operating portion tilts relative to the latching portion with the connecting portion as a supporting point; when the operation part is pressed, the clamping part can be unlocked from one of the first clamping characteristic, the second clamping characteristic and the third clamping characteristic.

Preferably, the base has a hole, and the position of the clamping part of the clamping piece corresponds to the hole.

Preferably, the slide rail mechanism further comprises a mounting base, the mounting base comprises the at least one latching feature, and the mounting base and the base are movably mounted relative to each other through a guide channel.

Preferably, one of the mount and the base includes a first curved wall, a second curved wall and a side wall connected between the first curved wall and the second curved wall, and the first curved wall, the second curved wall and the side wall define the guide channel together.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a support assembly for a first mounting device and a second mounting device includes a support member, a first connecting device and a second connecting device. The supporting part is provided with a first part and a second part which are opposite in position; the first connecting device is arranged adjacent to the first part and is used for clamping the first mounting device; the second connecting device is arranged adjacent to the second part and used for clamping the second mounting device.

Drawings

For further explanation of the above objects, structural features and effects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a slide rail mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention for mounting a carrier to a rack.

Fig. 2 is a partially exploded view of a slide rail assembly and a support assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a partial schematic view of a slide rail assembly and a support assembly of an embodiment of the invention that can be connected to each other via a mounting device and a connecting device.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the region a of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partial schematic view of a slide rail assembly and a support assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, which may be disconnected from each other by a mounting device and a connecting device.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the region a of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a partial schematic view showing that when the slide rail assembly and the supporting assembly of the embodiment of the invention are not connected with the mounting device through the connecting device, the supporting assembly can be adjusted and displaced in two directions relative to the mounting device.

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic view of the support assembly of the present invention connected to the mounting device by the connecting device to be in a first connecting position relative to the slide rail assembly.

FIG. 9 is a partial schematic view of the support assembly of the present invention connected to the mounting device by the connecting device to a second connecting position relative to the slide rail assembly.

FIG. 10 is a partial schematic view of the support assembly of the present invention connected to the mounting device by the connecting device and disposed at a third connecting position relative to the slide rail assembly.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing that the supporting assembly of the embodiment of the invention can be located at the first connecting position relative to the sliding rail assembly by connecting the connecting device with the mounting device, so that the supporting assembly and the load-bearing object have a predetermined distance.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view illustrating that the supporting assembly of the embodiment of the invention can be located at the second connection position relative to the sliding rail assembly by the connecting device connecting the mounting device, so that the supporting assembly and the load-bearing object have the predetermined distance.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing that the supporting assembly of the embodiment of the invention can be located at the third connection position relative to the sliding rail assembly by the connecting device connecting and mounting device, so that the supporting assembly and the load-bearing object have the predetermined distance.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1, the slide rail mechanism of the embodiment of the invention includes a first slide rail assembly 22 and a support assembly 26. Preferably, a second slide assembly 24 is also included. The first slide assembly 22 and the second slide assembly 24 each include a first rail 28 and a second rail 30. Preferably, a third rail 32 is movably mounted between the first rail 28 and the second rail 30 for extending the displacement stroke of the second rail 30 relative to the first rail 28. Herein, the first rail 28, the second rail 30 and the third rail 32 are exemplified by an outer rail (fixed rail), an inner rail and a middle rail, respectively. Wherein the front and rear portions of the first rail 28 are mountable to a first column 38 and a second column 40 of a rack by a first bracket device 34 and a second bracket device 36, respectively; on the other hand, the second rail 30 is longitudinally displaceable relative to the first rail 28 via the third rail 32, and the second rail 30 can be used for mounting a carrier 42. The carrier 42 is, for example, an electronic device or a chassis. The second rail 30 is displaced from a retracted state to an extended state relative to the first rail 28, so that the carrier 42 can be pulled out of the rack from the inside of the rack.

The second rail 30 of the first slide assembly 22 and the second rail 30 of the second slide assembly 24 are respectively provided with a first mounting device 44 and a second mounting device 46. Preferably, the first mounting device 44 and the second mounting device 46 have substantially the same structural configuration.

The support assembly 26 includes a support member 47, and a first connecting device 48 and a second connecting device 50 disposed on the support member 47. Wherein the first connecting device 48 and the second connecting device 50 are connected (e.g., detachably connected) to the first mounting device 44 and the second mounting device 46, respectively. Preferably, the first mounting device 44 and the second mounting device 46 are respectively disposed at the rear end of the second rail 30 adjacent to the first slide rail assembly 22 and the rear end of the second rail 30 adjacent to the second slide rail assembly 24, so that when the supporting member 47 connects the first mounting device 44 and the second mounting device 46 through the first connecting device 48 and the second connecting device 50, the supporting member 47 is located behind the carrying object 42, and the supporting member 47 and the carrying object 42 have a predetermined distance S therebetween. The supporting element 47 can be used to support a cable (cable) behind the carrier 42. Preferably, the support 47 has at least one wire management feature 45, the at least one wire management feature 45 facilitating the management of the cable. For example, the at least one wire-arranging feature 45 is exemplified by a plurality of long holes, and when the support 47 supports the cable behind the carrying object 42, a binding rope or a binding belt (not shown) passes through the at least one wire-arranging feature 45, so as to bind or fix the cable; alternatively, an additional receptacle (not shown) may be snapped into the at least one cable management feature 45 to allow the receptacle to be used to house or organize the cables. Preferably, the first connecting means 48 and the second connecting means 50 have substantially the same structural configuration. Preferably, the supporting member 47 is substantially transversely disposed with respect to the length direction of each slide rail assembly 22, 24, and the first connecting device 48 and the second connecting device 50 are respectively disposed at two opposite portions adjacent to the supporting member 47, such as a first portion 47a and a second portion 47 b. Specifically, the first connecting means 48 is disposed adjacent to an end of the first portion 47a of the supporting member 47, and the second connecting means 50 is disposed adjacent to an end of the second portion 47b of the supporting member 47.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the second rail 30 is displaced relative to the first rail 28 in the extended state. The first mounting device 44 is disposed at an end, such as the rear end 30a, of the second rail 30 adjacent to the first slide rail assembly 22. In another aspect, the support member 47 has a front portion 58, a rear portion 60, and a middle portion 62 between the front portion 58 and the rear portion 60. The front portion 58 and the rear portion 60 connect the middle portion 62 substantially perpendicularly. Preferably, the at least one wire dress feature 45 is disposed in the intermediate portion 62.

One of the first mounting device 44 and the first connecting device 48 includes at least one latching feature, and the first mounting device 44 includes a first latching feature 52a, a second latching feature 52b and a third latching feature 52c, but the number of the latching features is not limited. Preferably, the first detent feature 52a, the second detent feature 52b and the third detent feature 52c are separated from each other by a longitudinal distance, and the detent features 52a, 52b and 52c are exemplified by detent holes; on the other hand, the other of the first mounting device 44 and the first connecting device 48 includes a locking member 54, and the first connecting device 48 includes the locking member 54 for example. The locking member 54 includes a locking portion 54a for selectively locking the first locking feature 52a, the second locking feature 52b or the third locking feature 52 c. The latching portion 54a may be an additional positioning element 53, or the latching portion 54a may have a protrusion (e.g., a hook) to latch to the first latching feature 52a, the second latching feature 52b, or the third latching feature 52 c.

Preferably, the support assembly 26 further includes a mounting base 70 and a base 72. The mounting base 70 includes the at least one detent feature (e.g., the detent features 52a, 52b, 52c), and the mounting base 70 and the base 72 are movably mounted relative to each other via a guide channel 74. One of the mount 70 and the base 72, for example, the mount 70 includes a first curved wall 76a, a second curved wall 76b and a side wall 76c connected between the first curved wall 76a and the second curved wall 76b, and the first curved wall 76a, the second curved wall 76b and the side wall 76c together define the guide channel 74 for accommodating the base 72. The side wall 76c of the mounting base 70 is provided with the at least one latching feature (e.g., the first latching feature 52a, the second latching feature 52b, and the third latching feature 52 c).

In another aspect, the base 72 has an aperture 78. The latching member 54 is attached to the base 72, and a position of a latching portion 54a (e.g., the positioning member 53) of the latching member 54 corresponds to the hole 78 and can be latched to the at least one latching feature (e.g., the first latching feature 52a, the second latching feature 52b, or the third latching feature 52c, which can be matched with fig. 4, the latching portion 54a of the latching member 54 can be latched to the third latching feature 52c of the mounting base 70 by the positioning member 53 or a protrusion).

Preferably, the latch 54 is a spring, and the latch 54 further includes an operation portion 54b and a connection portion 54 c. The connecting portion 54c is located between the operating portion 54b and the latching portion 54a, and the connecting portion 54c is connected (e.g., fixed) to the base 72. On the other hand, the operation portion 54b extends from the latching portion 54a, and the operation portion 54b is tilted at a predetermined angle relative to the latching portion 54a with the connecting portion 54c as a supporting point (fixing point).

As shown in fig. 3 to 6, when a user presses the operation portion 54b of the detent member 54 with a force F (as shown in fig. 3 and 4), the detent portion 54a tilts relative to the operation portion 54b to generate an elastic force (as shown in fig. 5 and 6), and the positioning member 53 or the protrusion of the detent portion 54a can be released from at least one detent feature (for example, the first detent feature 52a, the second detent feature 52b, or the third detent feature 52c, which can be released from fig. 5 and 6, the positioning member 53 of the detent portion 54a of the detent member 54 can be released from the third detent feature 52c of the mounting base 70). On the other hand, when the force F is no longer applied, the elastic force is released, so that the operating portion 54b can return to its original position (i.e., the state shown in fig. 3).

As shown in fig. 7, once the catch portion 54a of the catch 54 of the first connecting means 48 (and second connecting means 50) of the support assembly 26 is disengaged from the at least one catch feature of the first mounting means 44 (and second mounting means 46) (e.g., the first catch feature 52a, the second catch feature 52b, or the third catch feature 52c), the support assembly 26 can be longitudinally adjusted in position relative to the first mounting means 44 (and second mounting means 46) in a first direction D1 or a second direction D2; alternatively, the support assembly 26 may be removed from the first mounting device 44 (and second mounting device 46) in the first direction D1. Wherein the first direction D1 is opposite to the second direction D2.

As shown in fig. 8, 9 and 10, the support assembly 26 can be adjusted to longitudinally displace relative to the first mounting device 44 (and the second mounting device 46) to a first connection position P1 (shown in fig. 8), a second connection position P2 (shown in fig. 9) or a third connection position P3 (shown in fig. 10).

Specifically, the support assembly 26 can be fixed at the first connection position P1 (as shown in fig. 8) by the latching portion 54a (e.g., the positioning member 53 or the protrusion) of the latching member 54 latching to the first latching feature 52 a; alternatively, the support assembly 26 can be fixed at the second connection position P2 (as shown in fig. 9) by the latching portion 54a (positioning member 53 or protrusion) of the latching member 54 latching to the second latching feature 52 b; alternatively, the support assembly 26 can be fixed at the third connection position P3 (as shown in fig. 10) by the latching portion 54a (positioning member 53 or protrusion) of the latching member 54 latching to the third latching feature 52 c.

As shown in fig. 11, the first rail 28, the second rail 30 and the third rail 32 of the two slide rail assemblies 22 and 24 (only the first slide rail assembly 22 is shown in fig. 11) are in the extended state E. The second rail 30 can carry a first carrying object 42a, and the first carrying object 42a has a first longitudinal length a 1. Since the rear 80 of the first carrier 42a is usually configured with an electronic module, the predetermined distance S is maintained between the support assembly 26 and the rear 80 of the first carrier 42a, so as to facilitate the user to insert and remove the cable connector of the electronic module. In the case of the first carrier 42a with the first longitudinal length a1, the support assembly 26 can be adjusted to longitudinally displace to the first connection position P1 to maintain the predetermined distance S.

In the case of a second carrier 42b having a second longitudinal length a2, as shown in fig. 12, (the supporting member 47 of) the supporting assembly 26 can be adjusted to be longitudinally displaced to the second connecting position P2 to maintain the predetermined distance S.

In the case of a third carrier 42c with a third longitudinal length a3, as shown in fig. 13, (the supporting element 47 of) the supporting assembly 26 can be adjusted to longitudinally displace to the third connecting position P3 to maintain the predetermined distance S.

It should be noted that the support assembly 26 (the support member 47) can be adjusted to different positions except for the case of different longitudinal lengths of the load-bearing objects. In another case, the support assembly 26 can be adjusted to different positions by the support member 47, so as to adjust the distance between the rear of the carrier 42 and the support assembly 26 according to the requirement.

From the above description, it can be seen that the enhanced efficacy and advantages of the present invention are:

(1) the support assembly 26 may be coupled (e.g., removably coupled) to a second rail 30 (e.g., an inner rail) of the slide assembly.

(2) The support assembly 26 may be adjusted to different longitudinal positions P1, P2, P3 relative to the mounting devices 44, 46.

(3) The latch 54 may be a resilient tab. The connecting portion 54c of the engaging member 54 can be used as a supporting point, so that the user can release the engaging portion 54a from the at least one engaging feature by pressing the operating portion 54 b. In general, the locking member 54 has the operation portion 54b and the locking portion 54a, which can have both the operation and locking functions.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the present specific embodiments, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are illustrative only, and various equivalent changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and therefore, it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A slide rail mechanism comprises a first slide rail assembly and a support assembly, and is characterized in that:

the first slide rail assembly comprises a first rail, a second rail and a third rail movably arranged between the first rail and the second rail, the first rail is an outer rail fixedly arranged on a frame, the second rail is an inner rail for mounting a bearing object and can longitudinally move relative to the first rail, the third rail is a middle rail positioned between the first rail and the second rail, wherein the second rail of the first slide rail assembly is provided with a first mounting device;

the supporting assembly is used for arranging wires and comprises a supporting piece and a first connecting device arranged on the supporting piece, wherein the first connecting device is used for connecting the first mounting device;

the slide rail mechanism further comprises a second slide rail assembly, the second slide rail assembly is provided with a three-section slide rail structure which is substantially the same as that of the first slide rail assembly, a second mounting device is arranged on a second rail of the second slide rail assembly, and a second connecting device is arranged on the supporting piece, wherein the first connecting device is used for being detachably connected with the first mounting device, and the second connecting device is used for being detachably connected with the second mounting device;

one of the first mounting device and the first connecting device comprises at least one clamping feature, and the other of the first mounting device and the first connecting device comprises a clamping piece for clamping the at least one clamping feature;

the at least one clamping feature comprises a first clamping feature, a second clamping feature and a third clamping feature, the first clamping feature, the second clamping feature and the third clamping feature are separated by a longitudinal distance, and the clamping piece comprises a clamping part which can be selectively clamped in one of the first clamping feature, the second clamping feature and the third clamping feature;

the slide rail structure also comprises a base, and the clamping piece also comprises an operation part and a connecting part, wherein the connecting part is positioned between the operation part and the clamping part, and the connecting part is connected to the base.

2. The slide rail mechanism of claim 1, wherein the supporting member is disposed substantially transversely to both the length direction of the first slide rail assembly and the length direction of the second slide rail assembly, and the first connecting device and the second connecting device are respectively disposed at the end positions of two portions adjacent to the supporting member.

3. The slide rail mechanism of claim 1 wherein the support member has a front portion, a rear portion, and a middle portion between the front portion and the rear portion, the front portion and the rear portion being connected to the middle portion substantially perpendicular thereto.

4. The slide rail mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is fixed to the base, the operating portion extends from the engaging portion, and the operating portion is tilted with respect to the engaging portion with the connecting portion as a supporting point; when the operation part is pressed, the clamping part can be unlocked from one of the first clamping characteristic, the second clamping characteristic and the third clamping characteristic.

5. The slide rail mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the base has a hole, and the position of the engaging portion of the engaging member corresponds to the hole.

6. The slide rail mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a mounting block, the mounting block including the at least one detent feature, and the mounting block and the base being movably mounted relative to each other through a guide channel.

7. The slide rail mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein one of the mounting base and the base comprises a first curved wall, a second curved wall and a side wall connected between the first curved wall and the second curved wall, and the first curved wall, the second curved wall and the side wall define the guiding channel.

8. A support assembly adapted for use with a first mounting device and a second mounting device,

the first mounting device is arranged on a second rail of a first slide rail assembly, the first slide rail assembly comprises a first rail, the second rail and a third rail movably arranged between the first rail and the second rail, the first rail is an outer rail fixedly arranged on a frame, the second rail is an inner rail for mounting a bearing object and can longitudinally move relative to the first rail, and the third rail is an intermediate rail positioned between the first rail and the second rail;

the second mounting device is arranged on a second rail of a second slide rail assembly, and the second slide rail assembly is provided with a three-section slide rail structure which is substantially the same as that of the first slide rail assembly;

the support assembly is used for arranging the line and includes:

the supporting piece is provided with a first part and a second part which are opposite in position;

a first connecting device is arranged adjacent to the first position and used for clamping the first mounting device; and

a second connecting device is arranged adjacent to the second part and used for clamping the second mounting device;

one of the first mounting device and the first connecting device comprises at least one clamping feature, and the other of the first mounting device and the first connecting device comprises a clamping piece which comprises a clamping part used for clamping the at least one clamping feature;

the support assembly further comprises a base, and the clamping piece further comprises an operation part and a connecting part, wherein the connecting part is located between the operation part and the clamping part, and the connecting part is connected to the base.

9. A support assembly according to claim 8, wherein the support member has a front portion, a rear portion and an intermediate portion between the front and rear portions, the intermediate portion being provided with at least one wire management feature.

10. The support assembly of claim 8, wherein the connecting portion is fixed to the base, the operating portion extends from the latching portion, and the operating portion is tilted with respect to the latching portion using the connecting portion as a supporting point; when the operation part is pressed, the clamping part can be unlocked from the at least one clamping feature.

11. The support assembly of claim 10, wherein the base has a hole, and the position of the engaging portion of the engaging member corresponds to the hole.

12. The support assembly of claim 8, further comprising a mounting base, wherein the mounting base includes the at least one detent feature, and wherein the mounting base and the base are movably mounted relative to each other via a guide channel.

13. A support assembly according to claim 12, wherein one of the mount and the base includes a first curved wall, a second curved wall, and a side wall connected between the first curved wall and the second curved wall, and the first curved wall, the second curved wall, and the side wall collectively define the guide channel.