LIMIT MECHANISM AND SLIDE RAIL ASSEMBLY HAVING THE SAME

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001]This application claims priority to Taiwanese Invention Patent Application No. 114100532, filed on Jan. 3, 2025, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

[0002]The disclosure relates to a slide rail, and more particularly to a limit mechanism and a slide rail assembly having the same.

BACKGROUND

[0003]With the development of the computer industry and cloud computing, demand for electronic data storage and electronic date access is growing, especially for electronic data related to artificial intelligence (e.g., ChatGPT). In order to meet the demands for massive data storage/access, a modern structure of server equipment consists of a single server rack and a plurality of server chassis disposed in the server rack. The server chassis and the server rack are connected via a slide rail structure. In one example, two opposite sides of each of the server chassis are respectively provided with two first slide rails, and two opposite sides of an interior of the server rack are respectively provided with two second slide rails which correspond in position to the first slide rails disposed on each of the server chassis. The first slide rails that are disposed on each of the server chassis are movable relative to the second slide rails.

SUMMARY

[0004]Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a slide rail assembly having a limit mechanism that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0005]According to an aspect of the disclosure, the slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a third rail and a limit mechanism. The first rail has a rail engaging structure. The second rail is movable relative to the first rail. The third rail is movable relative to the second rail. The limit mechanism includes a limit member that is connected to the third rail. The limit member cooperates with the rail engaging structure to define a limit distance therebetween when the slide rail assembly is not stretched. When the slide rail assembly is stretched such that the third rail is moved relative to the first rail by the limit distance, the limit member is able to engage the rail engaging structure.

[0006]According to another aspect of the disclosure, the slide rail assembly includes the slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a reinforcing rail and a limit mechanism. The second rail is movable relative to the first rail. The third rail is movable relative to the second rail. The reinforcing rail is disposed on the first rail, and has a rail engaging structure. The limit mechanism includes a limit member that is connected to the third rail. The limit member cooperates with the rail engaging structure to define a limit distance therebetween when the slide rail assembly is not stretched. When the slide rail assembly is stretched such that the third rail is moved relative to the first rail by the limit distance, the limit member is able to engage the rail engaging structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

[0008]Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment(s) with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that various features may not be drawn to scale.

[0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the slide rail assembly according to the disclosure.

[0010]FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the embodiment.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an assembly of a third rail and a limit mechanism of the embodiment, illustrating an operation member of the limit mechanism in a first state.

[0012]FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the assembly of the third rail and the limit mechanism, illustrating the operation member in the first state.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an assembly of the third rail, the limit mechanism and a second rail of the embodiment, illustrating the operation member in the first state.

[0014]FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the assembly of the third rail, the limit mechanism and the second rail, illustrating the operation member in the first state.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembly of the third rail and the limit mechanism, illustrating the operation member in a second state.

[0016]FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the assembly of the third rail and the limit mechanism, illustrating the operation member in the second state.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembly of the third rail, the limit mechanism and the second rail, illustrating the operation member in the second state.

[0018]FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the assembly of the third rail, the limit mechanism and the second rail, illustrating the operation member in the second state.

[0019]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembly of the limit mechanism, the second rail and a first rail of the embodiment, illustrating the operation member in the second state.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a side view of the embodiment, illustrating the operation member in the second state and the third rail in an initial position.

[0021]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the assembly of the limit mechanism, the second rail and the first rail, illustrating the operation member in the second state and the embodiment being stretched.

[0022]FIG. 14 is a side view of the embodiment, illustrating the operation member in the second state and the embodiment being stretched.

[0023]FIG. 15 is schematic top view illustrating the embodiment being stretched.

[0024]FIG. 16 is a front view of the embodiment.

[0025]FIG. 17 is a front view of a modification of the slide rail assembly according to the disclosure.

[0026]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an assembly of the limit mechanism, the second rail and the first rail of the modification, illustrating the operation member in the second state.

[0027]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the assembly of the limit mechanism, the second rail and the first rail, illustrating the operation member in the second state and the slide rail assembly being stretched.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028]Before the disclosure is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.

[0029]It should be noted herein that for clarity of description, spatially relative terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “on,” “above,” “over,” “downwardly,” “upwardly” and the like may be used throughout the disclosure while making reference to the features as illustrated in the drawings. The features may be oriented differently (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative terms used herein may be interpreted accordingly.

[0030]Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of the slide rail assembly according to the disclosure includes a limit mechanism 10 and a plurality of rails. The limit mechanism 10 includes an operation member 11 and a limit member 12. The operation member 11 defines an operation space 111, and has a push part 112 located at one side of the operation space 111. The limit member 12 is leaf-shaped and elastic, and has a first abutment part 121, and a second abutment part 122 offset from the first abutment part 121. In some examples, the second abutment part 122 protrudes from the first abutment part 121. The operation member 11 and the limit member 12 are associated with each other. With further reference to FIGS. 3 to 6, when the operation member 11 is in a first state (S1), the first abutment part 121 of the limit member 12 abuts against the push part 112 of the operation member 11, and the second abutment part 122 of the limit member 12 is located in the operation space 111 of the operation member 11. With further reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, when the operation member 11 is in a second state (S2), the second abutment part 122 of the limit member 12 abuts against the push part 112 of the operation member 11, and the first abutment part 121 of the limit member 12 is spaced apart from the push part 112 of the operation member 11. The limit mechanism 10 is operable to switch between an initial state in which the operation member 11 is in the first state (S1), and an activated state in which the operation member 11 is in the second state (S2).

[0031]With further reference to FIGS. 11 to 14, an embodiment of the slide rail assembly 20 includes the limit mechanism 10, a first rail 21, a second rail 22 and a third rail 23. The first rail 21 serves as an outer frame, and has a rail engaging structure (A). The second rail 22 serves as an intermediate frame, and is movable relative to the first rail 21. The third rail 23 serves as an inner frame, and is movable relative to the second rail 22. The limit member 12 is connected to the third rail 23.

[0032]The limit member 12 has a limit engaging structure 123 that is able to engage the rail engaging structure (A). In some examples, the second abutment part 122 of the limit member 12 includes a first arced plate (B1) and a second arced plate (B2) that are disposed on the first abutment part 121. The limit engaging structure 123 is located between the first arced plate (B1) and the second arced plate (B2). In some examples, the limit engaging structure 123 may be configured as a hole. The rail engaging structure (A) may be configured as a protrusion. When the operation member 11 is in the second state (S2) (i.e., the limit mechanism 10 is in the activated state), the second abutment part 122 of the limit member 12 abuts against the push part 112 of the operation member 11 such that the limit engaging structure 123 is pushed by the push part 112 of the operation member 11 to move toward the first rail 21.

[0033]With reference to FIG. 12, when the slide rail assembly 20 is not stretched, the limit engaging structure 123 of the limit member 12 is spaced apart from the rail engaging structure (A) by a limit distance (D1). In some examples, the limit distance (D1) may be 5 centimeters. With further reference to FIG. 14, when the limit mechanism 10 is in the activated state and when the slide rail assembly 20 is stretched such that the third rail 23 is moved relative to the first rail 21 by the limit distance (D1), the limit engaging structure 123 of the limit member 12 engages the rail engaging structure (A) so as to position the third rail 23 relative to the first rail 21, and a rear end of the third rail 23 is spaced apart from a rear end of the first rail 21 by an installation distance (D2).

[0034]In some examples, the limit member 12 has a mount part 124 and a resilient part 125. The resilient part 125 is located between the mount part 124 and the first abutment part 121, and corresponds in position to the operation space 111. The resilient part 125 has a first section (C1), and a second section (C2) extending from the first section (C1). The first section (C1) may be parallel to the third rail 23. The second section (C2) may be inclined with respect to the third rail 23. The first section (C1) extends from an end of the mount part 124. The second section (C2) extends from an end of the first abutment part 121. In some examples, the limit member 12 has a hook part 126 that extends from another end of the first abutment part 121 opposite to the second section (C2) of the resilient part 125. The mount part 124 of the limit member 12 is formed with a mount hole (M). The third rail 23 is formed with a first mount hole (M1). The mount part 124 of the limit member 12 is mounted to the third rail 23 by a fastener 127 that extends through the mount hole (M) of the limit member 12 and the first mount hole (M1) of the third rail 23.

[0035]In some examples, the push part 112 of the operation member 11 has an inclined surface (E1), an abutment surface (E2) extending from the inclined surface (E1), and a cancave surface (E3) extending from the abutment surface (E2). When the operation member 11 is in the first state (S1), the first arced plate (B1) and the second arced plate (B2) of the limit member 12 are aligned with the inclined surface (E1). When the operation member 11 is in the second state (S2), the first arced plate (B1) and the second arced plate (B2) of the limit member 12 are aligned with and abut against the abutment surface (E2). The hook part 126 of the limit member 126 corresponds in position to the cancave surface (E3) of the push part 112 of the operation member 11.

[0036]In some examples, the operation member 11 has two connection grooves 113 (only one is visible in FIG. 1) that are in spatial communication with the operation space 111 and that are spaced apart from each other in a top-bottom direction. A front section (L) (see FIG. 4) of the third rail 23 engages the connection grooves 113. The operation member 11 has a limit surface (F) that is located at front ends of the connection grooves 113 and that faces a front end surface 231 of the third rail 23. The operation member 11 has a rear end surface 114 facing a front end surface 221 of the second rail 22. When the operation member 11 is in the first state (S1), the limit surface (F) of the operation member 11 is proximate to the front end surface 231 of the third rail 23 and the rear end surface 114 of the operation member 11 is proximate to the front end surface 221 of the second rail 22. When the operation member 11 is in the second state (S2), the limit surface (F) of the operation member 11 is distal from the front end surface 231 of the third rail 23 and the rear end surface 114 of the operation member 11 is distal from the front end surface 221 of the second rail 22.

[0037]In some examples, the operation member 11 has a first limit part 115 that is disposed on the push part 112, and that has two first limit surfaces (F1) (only one is visible in FIG. 1) at two opposite ends thereof in the top-bottom direction. A front end portion of the first limit part 115 has a first limit groove (G1). A rear end portion of the first limit part 115 has a limit body (H). In some examples, the operation member 11 has a second limit part 116 that has a second limit groove (G2) and two second limit surfaces (F2) (only one is visible in FIG. 1) at two opposite ends thereof in the top-bottom direction. The third rail 23 has a first wall 232, a second wall 233, and a third wall 234 connected between the first wall 232 and the second wall 233. The first wall 232 and the second wall 233 of the third rail 23 are respectively limited by the first limit surfaces (F1), and are respectively limited by the second limit surfaces (F2). The third wall 234 of the third rail 23 is limited by the first limit part 115 and the second limit part 116. The mount part 124 of the limit member 12 corresponds in position to the second limit groove (G2) of the second limit part 116. In some examples, the second limit part 116 has two third limit surfaces (F3) (only one is visible in FIG. 1) at two opposite ends of the second limit groove (G2) in the top-bottom direction. The third limit surfaces (F3) face each other, and are configured to limit two opposite ends of the mount part 124 of the limit member 12. In some examples, the limit body (H) of the operation member 11 has an elongated hole (H1). The third rail 23 has a second mount hole (M2). A connecting member 117 extends through the elongated hole (H1) of the operation member 11 and the second mount hole (M2) of the third rail 23 so as to limit a range of movement of the operation member 11 relative to the third rail 23.

[0038]In some examples, the first rail 21 is formed with a retaining groove 211 that is recessed from a side surface thereof, and that corresponds in position to the limit member 12. During the operation of the limit mechanism 10, the limit member 12 is partially retained in the retaining groove 211.

[0039]With further reference to FIG. 15, an object 40 (e.g., a support plate) may be connected to the third rail 23. An installation module 30 may be located in rear of the slide rail assembly 20. When the limit mechanism 10 is in the activated state and when the slide rail assembly 20 is stretched such that the third rail 23 is moved relative to the first rail 21 by the limit distance (D1) (see FIG. 12), the limit engaging structure 123 of the limit member 12 engages the rail engaging structure (A) so as to position the third rail 23 relative to the first rail 21. As such, a rear end of the object 40 may be spaced apart from the installation module 30 by an installation distance (D2), providing a space between the object 40 and the installation module 30 for operation.

[0040]FIG. 16 is a front view of the embodiment of the slide rail assembly 20 according to the disclosure. With reference to FIGS. 17 to 19 illustrate a modification of the slide rail assembly 20 according to the disclosure.

[0041]The modification is structurally similar to the previous example. The differences between the modification and the previous example reside in that, in the modification, the first rail 21 includes a first rail body 210, and a reinforcing rail 24 disposed on the first rail body 210. The rail engaging structure A is disposed on the reinforcing rail 24, and the retaining groove 211 is formed through the first rail body 210. Operation of the modification of the slide rail assembly 20 is similar to the operation of previous example of the slide rail assembly 20. When the limit mechanism 10 is switched into the activated state, the limit engaging structure 123 of the limit member 12 is pushed by the push part 112 of the operation member 11 to move toward the first rail body 210. Then, when the slide rail assembly 20 is stretched such that the third rail 23 is moved relative to the first rail body 210 by the limit distance (D1), the limit engaging structure 123 of the limit member 12 engages the rail engaging structure (A) so as to position the third rail 23 relative to the first rail body 210. To release to the third rail 23, the limit mechanism 10 is switched into the initial state such that the limit engaging structure 123 of the limit member 12 moves away from the rail engaging structure (A). As such, the third rail 23 is movable relative to the first rail body 210 again.

[0042]In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment(s). It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects; such does not mean that every one of these features needs to be practiced with the presence of all the other features. In other words, in any described embodiment, when implementation of one or more features or specific details does not affect implementation of another one or more features or specific details, said one or more features may be singled out and practiced alone without said another one or more features or specific details. It should be further noted that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.

[0043]While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is(are) considered the exemplary embodiment(s), it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s) but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.