WO2007125745A1

WO2007125745A1 - Slide rail

Info

Publication number: WO2007125745A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/057822
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kaoru Hoshide; Akira Sato; Soichi Sasaki
Original assignee: Thk Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-04-28
Filing date: 2007-04-09
Publication date: 2007-11-08
Also published as: JPWO2007125745A1; TW200803770A; JP5286080B2

Abstract

A slide rail unit in which distortion of an intermediate rail (2) and a moving rail (3) is suppressed, the moving rail (3) can be drawn out and housed with light operational feeling even when a load acts thereon, the number of steps required for production is reduced as much as possible, and production cost is reduced. The slide rail unit comprises a fixed rail (1), the intermediate rail (2) movable along the longitudinal direction of the fixed rail, and the moving rail (3) movable along the longitudinal direction of the intermediate rail. The intermediate rail (2) has a pair of adjoining rectangular guide bases (2a, 2b) projecting in the opposite directions and a substantially S-shaped cross-section. The fixed rail (1) has a substantially C-shaped cross-section covering one guide base (2a) of the intermediate rail (2) from the outside, and the moving rail (3) has a substantially C-shaped cross-section covering the other guide base (2b) of the intermediate rail (2) from the outside.

Description

Specification

Slide Lenore unit

Technical field

[0001] The present invention is provided between a pair of members that relatively reciprocate along a predetermined direction, such as a drawer in furniture or a vapor tray in a copying machine, and performs relative forward and backward movement of these members. The present invention relates to a slide rail unit to be supported, and in particular, relates to a slide rail unit that is composed of three rails and that allows a movable member such as a drawer to be pulled out from a fixed part such as a furniture body with a large stroke amount.

Background art

Conventionally, a slide rail unit including an outer rail and an inner rail is known as a guide member for supporting the forward and backward movement of movable members such as drawers in furniture and system kitchens and paper trays in copying machines (Patent Documents). 1). Specifically, a pair of ball rolling parts are bent and raised along the longitudinal direction to form a channel rail formed in a channel shape, and smaller than this water rail, and the pair of ball rolling parts are also bent and raised. An inner rail formed in a channel shape, a large number of balls rolling inside the ball rolling part of these outer rails and the outside of the ball rolling part of the inner rail, and a ball between the outer rail and the inner rail. For example, the outer rail is fixed to the furniture body and the inner rail is fixed to both side surfaces of the drawer.

[0003] A slide rail unit of a type in which two of the slide rail units are combined to increase the stroke amount is also known (Patent Document 2). Specifically, the inner rails of the two slide rail units are joined back to back to form an intermediate rail, with one outer rail used as a fixed rail and the other outer rail used as a moving rail. In this slide rail unit, the intermediate rail slides relative to the fixed rail, and the moving rail slides relative to the intermediate rail, so it is possible to slide the moving rail beyond the entire length of the fixed rail. For example, the entire drawer can be pulled out from the furniture body, making it easy to insert and remove items from the drawer. There is an advantage of obtaining.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-201158

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-120126

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] In the conventional slide rail unit, although the outer rail serving as the moving rail or the fixed rail is formed in a channel shape, the longitudinal direction of the metal plate is used to form the ball rolling part. As the shape is simply bent along the spherical surface of the ball, the cross-sectional moment of the moving rail and the fixed rail is small.For example, the drawer is fully opened and a large amount of When the goods were stored, the moving rails were twisted and stagnation occurred. For this reason, the movement resistance of the moving rail with respect to the intermediate rail is increased, and the feeling of operation when the drawer is stored in the furniture body is felt heavy, and there is a concern that the sense of quality of the furniture itself is impaired.

[0005] In addition, since the intermediate rail joins two inner rails back to back, it is less likely to be twisted or squeezed compared to a moving rail. Since it is not performed over the entire length and is only performed partially by spot welding, the intermediate rail easily deforms when a large load is applied. Therefore, the resistance when pulling in the intermediate rail with respect to the fixed rail and the resistance when pulling the moving rail with respect to the intermediate rail are increased, and this is also a heavy operation feeling when the drawer is stored in the furniture body. It was a cause that was felt.

[0006] Furthermore, the inner rail and the water rail, including the ball rolling part, can be completed only by a roll forming carriage. When producing an intermediate rail of a slide rail unit, 2 Since the process of joining the inner rails of the book by spot welding is required, and an extra process is required, the problem that occurred when the production cost increased was solved.

Means for solving the problem

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to suppress twisting and stagnation of the intermediate rail and the moving rail and to reduce the load even when a load is applied.ヽ To provide a slide rail unit that can pull out and store the moving rail with a feeling of operation, and can reduce the number of processes required for production as much as possible, and can be produced at low cost. .

The slide rail unit of the present invention that achieves such an object includes a fixed rail, an intermediate rail that is assembled to the fixed rail via a plurality of balls, and is movable along the longitudinal direction of the fixed rail. The movable rail is assembled to the intermediate rail via a plurality of balls and is movable along the longitudinal direction of the powerful intermediate rail. The intermediate rail has a pair of rectangular guide bases that are adjacent to each other and project in opposite directions, and are formed in a substantially s-shaped cross section. The fixed rail has a substantially c-shaped cross section that covers one guide base of the intermediate rail to the outside force, and the movable rail has a substantially c-shaped cross section that covers the other guide base of the intermediate rail to the outside force. It is formed.

[0009] In this way, the intermediate rail is formed in a substantially S-shape by connecting the pair of guide bases formed in a rectangular shape in the opposite direction. It becomes possible to suppress the generation of twist and sag when a load is applied. In addition, the fixed rail and the movable rail are formed in a substantially C-shaped cross section that covers the guide base of the intermediate rail from the outside, so that it is inevitably formed in a rectangular shape that is one size larger than the guide base of the intermediate rail. Therefore, the cross-sectional secondary moments of the fixed rail and moving rail are also set to be large, and it becomes possible to suppress the occurrence of twisting and stagnation when a load is applied. In other words, in the slide rail unit of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the fixed rail and the movable rail combined with the intermediate rail of the intermediate rail itself is formed by forming the cross-sectional shape of the intermediate rail into a substantially S shape. The moment also increases, and the unit as a whole has a structure that suppresses twisting when a load is applied. As a result, running of the intermediate rail with respect to the fixed rail and running of the moving rail with respect to the intermediate rail become smooth, and even when a load is applied, the moving rail can be pulled out and stored with a light feeling of operation. It becomes possible.

[0010] Further, since the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is formed in a substantially S shape, the intermediate rail can be formed only by a plastic casing such as a bending force or a drawing process, Obedience This eliminates the need for a welding process like a conventional intermediate rail, which makes it possible to manufacture it at low cost. In addition, the fixed rail and the moving rail can be manufactured by the same method as that for the intermediate rail, and the capital investment required for manufacturing can be minimized.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a slide rail unit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the slide rail unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing an intermediate rail.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing an example in which a slide rail unit is applied to a slide mechanism of a drawer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing an example in which a slide rail unit is applied to a slide mechanism of a drawer.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a second embodiment of the slide rail unit of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing an example of attachment of the slide rail unit of the second embodiment. Explanation of symbols

[0012] 1 ... fixed rail, 2 ... intermediate rail, 2a, 2b ... guide base, 3 ... moving rail, 4 ... bono

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, the slide rail unit of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a first embodiment of a slide rail unit to which the present invention is applied. The slide rail unit includes a fixed rail 1, an intermediate rail 2 assembled to the fixed rail 1 via a plurality of balls 4, and a moving rail 3 assembled to the intermediate rail 2 via a plurality of balls 4. And force is composed. The balls 4 interposed between the rails 1, 2 and 3 roll to move the intermediate rail 2 freely with respect to the fixed rail 1, and further move the moving rail 3 with respect to the intermediate rail 2. It can be moved freely.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate rail 2 has a substantially S-shaped cross section perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. This S-shaped cross section is a pair of guide bases 2a formed in a rectangular shape. , 2b. These guide bases 2a and 2b are provided with channel grooves 20 which are adjacent to each other and open in opposite directions, and the intermediate rail 2 is substantially S-shaped by the continuous guide bases 2a and 2b. It has a cross section. The intermediate rail 2 has a central wall 21, a pair of side walls 22 and 22 that are provided to separate the center wall 21 and the channel groove 20, and the outer surface of each side wall 22 and the central wall 21. Rolling grooves 23 for the balls 4 are formed on both sides.

On the other hand, the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fixed rail 1 is formed in a substantially C shape, and has a shape for enclosing the guide base 2a of the intermediate rail 2 with an external force. The fixed rail 1 includes a pair of side walls 11 and 12 facing each other with a guide base 2a interposed therebetween, and a rolling groove 13 for the ball 4 is formed on the inner side surface of each side wall 11 and 12. The rolling groove 13 faces the rolling groove 23 of the ball 4 formed on the intermediate rail 2, and the ball 4 has the rolling groove 23 of the intermediate rail 2 and the rolling groove 13 of the fixed rail 1. Rolling with a load between

The moving rail 3 has the same structure as that of the fixed rail 1 and has a shape that encloses the guide base 2b of the intermediate rail 2 with an external force. That is, the moving rail 3 has a pair of side walls 31, 32 facing each other with the guide base 2b interposed therebetween, and a rolling groove 33 for the ball 4 is formed on the inner side surface of each side wall 31, 32. Yes. The rolling groove 33 faces the rolling groove 23 of the ball 4 formed on the intermediate rail 2, and the ball 4 has the rolling groove 23 of the intermediate rail 2 and the rolling groove 33 of the moving rail 3. Rolling with a load between

[0018] In manufacturing the fixed rail 1, the intermediate rail 2, and the moving rail 3, these rails can also be cut out by a metal bulk force using a discharge caloe. In that case, the rolling grooves 13, 23, and 33 of the ball 4 are formed by a technique such as cutting or grinding after electric discharge machining. The rolling grooves 13, 23 and 33 can be formed by crushing the surface of the metal plate with a rotating tool as in rolling, and according to such a method, In addition, high wear rolling grooves can be obtained by work hardening of the metal plate surface due to plastic deformation.

However, from the viewpoint of manufacturing at a low cost, it is possible to perform drawing without using electric discharge machining. Each rail is given the above-mentioned shape by various plastic cages such as bending or bending using a press machine, and then the rolling grooves of ball 4 are applied by a plastic carriage method such as a rolling cage. Preferably, 13, 23, 33 are formed.

[0020] Retainer blades 5a and 5b for aligning the balls 4 at predetermined intervals are provided in the gap between the guide base 2a and the fixed rail 1 of the intermediate rail 2 and the gap between the guide base 2b and the movable rail 3. Are intervening. The retainer plates 5a and 5b are given a shape that fits the gap, that is, a rectangular shape, by bending a thin metal plate. Each retainer plate 5a, 5b is punched with a ball holding hole having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the ball 4, and the ball 4 is housed in the ball holding hole so that the fixed rail 1 Drive over rolling groove 13 or rolling groove 33 of moving rail 3

[0021] In the example shown in the figure, the retainer plates 5a and 5b are arranged in the gap between the force intermediate rail 2 and the fixed rail 1 and the gap between the intermediate rail 2 and the movable rail 3 using a thin metal plate. The retainer plates 5a and 5b may be made of a synthetic resin if it can be formed as thin as possible. For example, when the slide rail unit of the present invention is used as a slide storage guide device in a refrigerator, the retainer plates 5a and 5b are prevented from freezing with respect to the fixed rail 1, the intermediate rail 2 or the movable rail 3. The retainer plates 5a and 5b are preferably made of synthetic resin.

[0022] In the slide rail unit configured as described above, the intermediate rail 2 is formed in a substantially S shape by connecting a pair of guide bases 2a and 2b formed in a rectangular shape. When the intermediate rail 2 is considered as a beam, the moment of inertia of the cross section can be set large, so that the strong intermediate rail 2 has high rigidity against bending and torsion. In addition, the fixed rail 1 and the movable rail 3 are formed in a substantially C-shaped cross-section that covers the outer base of the guide bases 2a and 2b of the intermediate rail 2. It is formed into a large rectangular shape. Therefore, when the fixed rail 1 and the moving rail 3 are also considered as beams, the cross-sectional second moment becomes large, and the rigidity against bending and torsion is also high. Yes.

4 and 5 are a plan view and a side view showing an outline when the slide rail unit is applied to a slide mechanism of a drawer in furniture. In this example, the slide rails are arranged on both sides of the drawer 6. The moving rail 3 is fixed to the drawer 6, while the fixed rail 1 is fixed to the furniture body 7. When the drawer 6 is stored in the furniture body 7, the fixed rail 1, the intermediate rail 2, and the moving rail 3 overlap each other, but when the drawer 6 is pulled out of the furniture body 7, the moving rail 3 is in the middle. While moving relative to the rail 2, the intermediate rail 2 moves relative to the fixed rail 1, and the movement of the drawer 6 relative to the furniture body 7 is supported.

[0024] In a state where the drawer 6 is pulled out from the furniture body 7, that is, in the state shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when an article is stored in the drawer 6, a downward load F acts on the drawer 6, For the pair of slide rail units arranged with the drawer 6 in between, a bending moment acts in the direction of pushing down the tip of the moving rail 3 and the tip of the intermediate rail 2, and the moving rail 3 is moved to the intermediate rail. 2. A torsional moment in the direction of peeling from fixed rail 1 acts. For this reason, if the rigidity of the fixed rail 1, the intermediate rail 2 and the moving rail 3 is low, the intermediate rail 2 and the moving rail 3 are squeezed and twisted, and the operation for storing the drawer 6 in the furniture body 7 is performed. Problems such as increased feeling of feeling occur.

[0025] In the slide rail unit of the present invention, the second moment of section of each of the rails 1, 2, and 3 can be set large as described above, and the rigidity against bending and torsion is high. Therefore, even when a load F acts on the drawer 6, it is possible to store the bow I protrusion 6 in the furniture body 7 while maintaining a light operation feeling! /

In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each slide rail unit is fixed to the side surface of the drawer 6, but the moving rail 3 may be fixed to the bottom surface near the side surface. I don't mind.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the slide rail unit to which the present invention is applied.

[0028] The slide rail unit of the second embodiment also includes a fixed rail 101 and a plurality of balls. An intermediate rail 102 assembled to the fixed rail 101 via 4 and a moving rail 103 assembled to the intermediate rail 102 via a plurality of balls 4 are also configured. However, the fixed rail 101, the intermediate rail 102, and the moving rail 103 are formed by bending a metal plate into a predetermined shape by roll forming, and the ball is placed at a predetermined position on each rail during the roll forming check. Four rolling grooves are formed. That is, the step of giving a predetermined shape to the rail and the step of forming the rolling groove of the ball are performed simultaneously, and each rail can be manufactured at low cost.

[0029] First, the intermediate rail 102 is formed in a substantially S shape by combining a pair of guide bases 102a and 102b formed in a rectangular shape. The intermediate rail 102 has a central wall 121 and a pair of side walls 122 and 122 that face each other with a force applied to the central wall 121. The intermediate rail 102 has an outer surface on each side wall 122 and both side surfaces of the central wall 121. Each has a rolling groove 123 for the ball 4. These rolling grooves 123 are formed by curving a part of the central wall 121 and the side wall 122 by means of a mouth forming cover, and the powerful rolling groove 123 has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the ball 4. The radius of curvature is about 55-60%. Then, by forcibly bending the metal plate material and forming the inner curved surface thereof as the rolling groove 123, the surface hardness of the rolling groove 123 is increased by work hardening, so that the rolling groove 123 against the rolling of the ball 4 is increased. There is an advantage that the wear resistance can be improved.

On the other hand, the fixed rail 101 is formed in a substantially C-shaped cross section so as to wrap around the guide base 102a of the intermediate rail 102 from the outside, and includes a pair of side walls 111 and 112 facing each other across the guide base 102a. ing. The rolling grooves 1 13 of the balls 4 are formed on the inner surfaces of the side walls 111 and 112. The balls 4 are loaded between the rolling grooves 123 of the intermediate rail 102 and the rolling grooves 113 of the fixed rail 101. Roll while. This fixed rail is also formed by bending and raising a metal plate material by a roll forming machine, and the rolling groove 113 is formed in the process of applying force. The radius of curvature of the rolling groove 113 is the same as that of the rolling groove 123 of the intermediate rail 102.

In addition, the fixed rail 101 is provided with a mounting portion 114 having a substantially L-shaped cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fixed rail 101. This mounting 114 is The metal plate material is formed by folding back the tip of one side wall 111 and further suspending the flange 115 downward, and is provided integrally with the side wall 111. As a result of forming the strong attachment portion 114 by folding back the tip force of the side wall 111, the side wall 111 is overlapped with the attachment portion 114, and the rigidity of the side wall 111 is improved. As a result, when the intermediate rail 102 and the moving rail 103 are pulled out from the fixed rail 101, it is possible to prevent a problem that the pair of side walls 111 of the strong fixed rail 101 opens outside without resisting the load. Can do. In addition, since the substantially L-shaped attachment portion 114 is provided integrally with the fixed rail 101, the rigidity of the fixed rail 101 itself is improved, and the fixed rail 101 is less likely to be twisted or squeezed. Reference numeral 116 denotes a hooking claw used when temporarily fixing the fixed rail 101 to a furniture body or the like.

[0032] Further, the moving rail 103 is formed in a substantially C-shaped cross section so as to wrap the guide base 102b of the intermediate rail 102 from the outside, and includes a pair of side walls 131 and 132 facing each other with the guide base 102b interposed therebetween. ing. A rolling groove 1 33 of the ball 4 is formed on the inner side surface of each side wall 131, 132, and the ball 4 applies a load between the rolling groove 123 of the intermediate rail 102 and the rolling groove 133 of the moving rail 103. Roll while. The moving rail 103 is also formed by bending and raising a metal plate material by a roll forming machine, and the rolling groove 133 is formed at the time of powerful processing. The radius of curvature of the rolling groove 133 is the same as that of the rolling groove 123 of the intermediate rail 102.

[0033] Furthermore, the moving rail 101 is provided with a mounting portion 134, which is formed by turning back the side wall 131 of the side wall 131. As a result of forming the strong attachment portion 134 by folding back the tip force of the side wall 131, the side wall 131 is overlapped with the attachment portion 134, and the rigidity of the side wall 131 is improved. This is the same as the side wall 111 of the fixed rail 101. The mounting portion 134 can be manufactured separately from the moving rail 103 and integrated with the side wall 11 of the moving rail 103 by a technique such as welding.

[0034] A retainer plate for aligning the balls 4 at a predetermined interval is formed in the gap between the guide base 102a and the fixed rail 101 of the intermediate rail 102 and the gap between the guide base 102b and the moving rail 103. 105a and 105b are intervening!

[0035] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a usage state of the slide rail unit of the second embodiment. An example is shown in which a sliding storage 142 is supported with respect to a housing 141 of the storage. The fixing rail 101 is fixed to the inner surface of the refrigerator casing 141 using fixing bolts 143. The casing 141 is provided with a notch window 144. By inserting a hooking claw 116 protruding from a fixed rail into the notch window, the slide rail unit is temporarily attached to the refrigerator casing 141. The fixing bolt 143 can be easily fastened. Further, since the fixed rail 101 is provided with a flange portion 115 protruding downward, even if the intermediate rail 102 and the moving rail 103 overlap with the fixed rail 101, the fixed rail 101 is placed in the refrigerator. It is easy to screw on the case 141 of the machine.

After the entire slide rail unit is fixed to the casing 141 in this way, the storage 142 is fixed to the moving rail 103 using the fixing bolt 143. In this slide rail unit, since the flat mounting portion 134 is provided on the upper portion of the moving rail 103, the storage 142 can also apply an upward force to the moving rail 103, and the fixing bolt 143 is not fastened. In both cases, the storage 142 can be supported by the moving rail 103. Accordingly, it is possible to easily fix the storage 142 to the moving rail 103.

[0037] Also in the slide rail unit of the second embodiment, each of the rails 101, 102, and 103 has a large second moment of section, and each rail has rigidity against bending and twisting. Even if a downward load F is applied to the moving rail 103 while the intermediate rail 102 and the moving rail 103 are sequentially pulled from the fixed rail 101, it is light. The moving rail 103 and the intermediate rail 102 can be stored in the fixed rail 101 while maintaining the operational feeling.

[0038] Further, in the slide rail unit of the second embodiment, the fixed rail 101, the intermediate rail 102, and the moving rail 103 are formed by roll forming, and at the same time that each rail is processed into a predetermined shape. Since the ball rolling groove is formed, it is possible to produce a slide rail unit at a low cost, which is extremely productive compared to the case where the powerful rolling groove is processed later in a separate process.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A fixed rail (1), an intermediate rail (2) assembled to the fixed rail via a plurality of balls (4) and movable along the longitudinal direction of the fixed rail, and a plurality of balls A slide rail unit that is assembled to the intermediate rail via the intermediate rail and configured to move along the longitudinal direction of the intermediate rail and the movable rail (3).

The intermediate rail (2) has a pair of rectangular guide bases (2a, 2b) that are adjacent to each other and project in opposite directions, and is formed in a substantially S-shaped cross section, and the fixed rail (1) is an intermediate rail. The rail (3) is formed in a substantially C-shaped cross section covering one of the guide bases of the rail (2), and the cross section of the moving rail (3) covers the other guide base of the intermediate rail (2). A slide rail unit that is shaped like a letter!

[2] The fixed rail (1) and the movable rail (3) have a pair of side wall portions (11, 12, 31, 32) opposed to each other with a gap, and the ball (4) on the inner side surface of each side wall portion. Rolling grooves (13, 33) are formed on the intermediate rail (2), and the ball rolling grooves (1) and the rolling rails (3) face the rolling grooves (1) and the moving rail (3). 23. The slide Lenore unit according to claim 1, wherein 23) is formed.

[3] The fixed rail (1), the movable rail (3), and the intermediate rail (2) are formed by a plastic cage, and the rolling groove of the ball (4) is also formed by plastic working. The slide rail unit according to claim 1, characterized in that:

[4] The fixed rail (1), the moving rail (3) and the intermediate rail (2) are formed by a roll forming machine, and the rolling grooves of the balls (4) are formed on each rail by a powerful roll forming process. The slide rail unit according to claim 3, further comprising:

[5] The fixed rail (1) and the movable rail (3) according to claim 4, wherein the side wall portion force is continuously folded back to form a mounting portion (114). Slide lens unit.

6. The slide rail according to claim 5, wherein the mounting portion provided on the fixed rail (1) has a substantially L-shaped cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fixed rail. -

[7] Between the fixed rail (1) and the intermediate rail (2) and between the moving rail (3) and the intermediate rail (2) The slide rail unit according to claim 1, wherein a retainer plate (5a, 5b) for arranging a plurality of balls rolling in the rolling groove at predetermined intervals is provided.

The slide rail unit according to claim 7, wherein the retainer plates (5a, 5b) are made of synthetic resin.