Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to drawer sliding devices and, more particularly,
to a drawer sliding device that guides pulling-out and retraction of a drawer and
is configured such that the drawer is automatically retracted when the drawer is within
a predetermined range.
Background Art
[0002] Generally, drawers are used in a variety of storage means such as furniture, refrigerators,
warmer cabinets, cooking devices, electronic products, etc. having storage spaces
therein.
[0003] Different kinds of objects can be stored in such drawers. In some cases, it is required
to store objects such as medicine or food, which must be stored under constant temperature
conditions because they are sensitive to temperature change. In some other cases,
for example, in cooling devices, heat exchange between a storage space and the outside
must be prevented.
[0004] Therefore, after a user pulls such objects out of a drawer or puts objects into the
drawer and retracts the drawer to close it, there is a need for preventing the drawer
from being undesirably opened by various reasons such as small inclination or wobbling,
a small shock transmitted from the outside, etc. In an effort to meet such necessity,
the applicant of the present invention has proposed an automatic closing device for
drawer slides in Korean Patent Registration No.
1150479.
[0005] Drawer slides typically have two or three rails. Recently, the use of drawer slides
having three rails has increased to improve a range within which a drawer can be extended
out from a storage body.
[0006] Here, the three rails provided in the drawer slide generally include an outer rail,
an intermediate rail and an inner rail that are successively arranged parallel to
each other and slidably coupled to each other. The three rails are configured such
that the width and cross-sectional area thereof are reduced from the outer rail to
the inner rail. Thus, the structural strength is generally reduced from the outer
rail to the inner rail.
[0007] If a heavy object is received in the drawer, which is guided by the drawer slide
when the drawer is pulled out or retracted, or the drawer itself is heavy, comparatively
large force is applied to the slide. Particularly, a load may be focused upon the
inner rail when the inner rail slides relative to the intermediate rail and thus protrudes
from the intermediate rail during a process of pulling out the drawer. As mentioned
above, since the structural strength of the inner rail is lower than that of the intermediate
rail or the outer rail, the drawer slide may twist or the drawer may excessively droop
when the load is focused upon the inner rail, whereby noise may be generated or the
drawer may not be reliably pulled-out or retracted.
Disclosure
Technical Problem
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems
occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a
drawer sliding device configured such that the load support capacity thereof when
a drawer is pulled out can be enhanced, whereby the drawer can be reliably pulled
out, and noise can be prevented.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a drawer sliding device that
can increase a range, within which the drawer can be automatically closed, without
a reduction in strength.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a drawer sliding device configured
such that when the drawer that has been opened is retracted to a predetermined degree,
the drawer can be automatically moved to a completely closed position, thus preventing
the drawer in the closed state from being undesirably opened by trivial reasons such
as a small shock or wobbling.
Technical Solution
[0011] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a drawer
sliding device for guiding a drawer such that the drawer is pulled out from or retracted
into a storage space formed in a storage body, the drawer sliding device including:
an outer rail fastened at a first surface thereof to either the storage body or the
drawer; an intermediate rail coupled to the outer rail so as to be slidable in a direction
parallel to a longitudinal direction of the outer rail; an inner rail coupled to the
intermediate rail so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal direction
of the intermediate rail, the inner rail being fastened to the other one of the storage
body and the drawer; and an automatic closing means coupled to the outer rail. The
automatic closing means includes: a closing means body coupled to a first end of a
second surface of the outer rail; an operating rail protruding from the closing means
body towards a second end of the outer rail, the operating rail having a linear portion
oriented parallel to a direction in which the drawer is pulled out, and a curved portion
bent from an end of the linear portion in a direction different from the linear portion;
a slider coupled to the operating rail so as to be slidable in a longitudinal direction
of the operating rail; an operating pin configured such that a first end thereof is
disposed in the guide depression and a second end thereof passes through the slider
and protrudes from the slider; and an elastic body fastened at a first end thereof
to the closing means body and fastened at a second end thereof to the slider, the
elastic body elastically supporting the slider towards the closing means body. While
the drawer is pulled out, the slider makes contact with the intermediate rail and
moves along with the inner rail and the intermediate rail until the first end of the
operating pin reaches the curved portion via the linear portion.
[0012] Furthermore, a push rod may protrude from the slider so that when the drawer is pulled
out. The push rod may come into contact with the intermediate rail and push the intermediate
rail.
[0013] A slot may be formed in an end of the intermediate rail that faces the closing means
body. The slot may receive the operating rail therein when the drawer is in a retracted
state. A portion of the end of the intermediate rail other than the slot may be brought
into contact with and be pushed by the slider when the drawer is pulled out.
[0014] A height to which the operating rail protrudes from the second surface of the outer
rail may be less than a distance between the second surface of the outer rail and
the intermediate rail. When the drawer is in a retracted state, a portion of the operating
rail that faces the second end of the outer rail may be disposed between the outer
rail and the intermediate rail. An end of the intermediate rail that faces the closing
means body may be brought into contact with and be pushed by the slider when the drawer
is pulled out.
[0015] In addition, an insert hole may be formed in a portion of the outer rail at which
the operating rail is disposed. The insert hole may have a shape corresponding to
the operating rail, and the operating rail may be disposed in the insert hole.
[0016] Furthermore, a shock absorber may be provided at a position at which the slider and
the intermediate rail make contact with each other. The shock absorber may comprise
a shock absorption member made of elastic material and coupled to the slider or the
intermediate rail, or a shock absorption protrusion protruding from the slider.
Advantageous Effects
[0017] A drawer sliding device according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured
such that when a drawer is pulled out, an intermediate rail and an inner rail are
moved together. Therefore, the load support capacity of a drawer slide can be enhanced
and the drawer can be reliably and smoothly pulled out. A drawer drooping problem
or noise can also be prevented when the drawer is pulled out.
[0018] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the drawer
sliding device may be designed such that the length of the intermediate rail can be
extended to reach a position above an operating rail by reducing the thickness of
the operating rail of an automatic closing means. In this case, the range of the operation
of the automatic closing means can be increased or reduced without a reduction in
the structural strength of the rail.
[0019] In the drawer sliding device according to the present invention, the drawer slide
is provided with the automatic closing means. Therefore, when the drawer is retracted
to a predetermined range or more, the drawer can be automatically retracted to a completely
closed position. Moreover, the drawer in the closed state can be prevented from being
undesirably opened.
Description of Drawings
[0020]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the installation of a drawer sliding device,
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer slide of the drawer sliding device
of Fig. 1;
Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing an automatic closing means of the drawer
sliding device of Fig. 1;
Figs. 5 through 7 are views illustrating the operation of the drawer sliding device
of Fig. 1;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view of portion E of Fig. 6;
Figs. 9 through 11 are views illustrating the operation of a drawer sliding device,
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic closing means of a drawer
sliding device, according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 13 through 15 are views illustrating the operation of the drawer sliding device
according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Best Mode
[0021] The present invention will now be described in detail based on aspects (or embodiments).
The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as being limited to only the embodiments set forth herein, but should
be construed as covering modifications, equivalents or alternatives falling within
ideas and technical scope of the present invention. In the following description of
the invention, if the related known functions or specific instructions on configuring
the gist of the present invention unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention,
the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0022] Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals
are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.
Some explanations will be omitted or condensed if deemed redundant.
[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the attached drawings.
[0024] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the installation of a drawer sliding device,
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Referring to Fig. 1, a drawer sliding device 1 according to the first embodiment
of the present invention is installed in a storage means 10. The drawer sliding device
1 includes a drawer slide 100 and an automatic closing means 200.
[0026] The storage means 10 refers to furniture, a refrigerator, a warmer cabinet, a cooking
device, an electronic product, etc. The storage means 10 includes a storage body 11
defining a storage space C therein, and a drawer 12 installed in the storage space
C so as to be slidable out of the storage space C or retractable thereinto. Here,
a direction in which the drawer 12 moves to an open position to allow a user to put
an object into the drawer 12 or remove an object therefrom is designated as an extension
direction A. A direction in which the drawer 12 moves into the storage space C to
a closed position is designated as a retraction direction B.
[0027] The drawer slide 100 includes an outer rail 110, an intermediate rail 130 and an
inner rail 150.
[0028] A first surface of the outer rail 110 is fastened to an inner surface of the storage
body 11, that is, an inner wall surface in the storage space C. The outer rail 110
is oriented such that the longitudinal direction thereof is parallel to the extension
direction A and the retraction direction B of the drawer 12.
[0029] The intermediate rail 130 is slidably coupled to a second surface of the outer rail
110. The intermediate rail 130 is oriented such that the longitudinal direction thereof
is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the outer rail 110.
[0030] In the same manner, the inner rail 150 is slidably coupled to the intermediate rail
130 and is oriented such that the longitudinal thereof is parallel to the longitudinal
direction of the intermediate rail 130. As shown in the drawings, the inner rail 150
is fastened to a corresponding surface of the drawer 12 that faces the inner surface
of the storage body 11.
[0031] The automatic closing means 200 is coupled to the second surface of a retraction-direction-side
end of the outer rail 110. The automatic closing means 200 will be explained herein
below in more detail with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.
[0032] The drawer sliding device 1 functions to guide the drawer 12 so that the drawer 12
can smoothly extended from the storage body 11 or retracted thereinto. The drawer
sliding device 1 is configured such that when the drawer 12 that has been in the open
state is retracted into the storage body 11 to a predetermined range or more, the
drawer 12 can be automatically moved in the retraction direction B and closed.
[0033] For reference, the drawer sliding device 1 may be configured such that, as shown
in the drawings, the outer rail 110 is fastened to the storage body 11 and the inner
rail 150 is fastened to the drawer 12. Alternatively, the drawer sliding device 1
may be configured such that, although it is not shown in the drawings, the outer rail
110 is fastened to the drawer 12 and the inner rail 150 is fastened to the storage
body 11.
[0034] If the outer rail 110 is fastened to the drawer 12 and the inner rail 150 is fastened
to the storage body 11, the automatic closing means 200 is coupled to the second surface
of an extension-direction-side end of the outer rail 110, on the contrary to the structure
shown in the drawings, to make the drawer 12 that has been opened be automatically
closed when the drawer 12 is retracted to a predetermined range or more.
[0035] The extension direction A and the retraction direction B defined above are provided
merely to clarify the criteria for defining the orientation needed in describing the
structure and operation of the embodiments introduced in this specification. Therefore,
use of these words is limited to the embodiments of this specification, and it should
not be understood that these words are used to indicate the absolute directions.
[0036] As needed, the number of drawer sliding devices 1 may be changed; for example, at
least one sliding device 1 may be provided on each of opposite sides of the drawer
12 or, alternatively, a plurality of sliding devices 1 may be provided on one side
of the drawer 12. Arrangement of drawer sliding devices 1 can also be changed in a
variety of ways. Although a plurality of drawer sliding devices 1 are provided, the
structure of each drawer sliding device 1 is the same; therefore, the description
of the single drawer sliding device 1 substitutes for explanation of the other drawer
sliding devices not shown in the drawings.
[0037] Bearings for reliable sliding movement are interposed between the outer rail 110
and the intermediate rail 130 and between the intermediate rail 130 and the inner
rail 150. This will be explained in detail with reference to Fig. 2.
[0038] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drawer slide shown in Fig. 1.
[0039] Referring to Fig. 2, the drawer slide 100 further includes a first bearing 120 and
a second bearing 140.
[0040] The outer rail 110 includes an outer rail body 111.
[0041] Bent in the same direction, two flanges 112 are respectively provided on opposite
edges of the outer rail body 111 with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outer
rail body 111. A raceway 113 is formed on each flange 112 along the longitudinal direction
of the flange 112. The raceway 113 can have various shapes to receive portions of
balls 129, which will be described later herein. In this embodiment, the raceway 113
is configured in a form having a groove formed in the longitudinal direction of the
flange 112.
[0042] The outer rail body 111 has: a stopper 115 limiting a movement range of a retainer
121, which will be described in detail later herein; coupling holes 116 for use in
fastening the automatic closing means (200 of Fig. 1) to the outer rail body 111;
and a coupling hole 118 for use in fastening the outer rail body 111 to the storage
body 11 or the drawer 12.
[0043] The first bearing 120 includes a retainer 121 and balls 129.
[0044] Bent in the same direction, two flanges 122 are respectively provided on opposite
edges of the retainer 121 with respect to a longitudinal axis of the retainer 121.
Arranged in the longitudinal direction of the flange 122, a plurality of ball insert
holes 123 are formed in the flange 122. The balls 129 are disposed in the respective
ball insert holes 123.
[0045] The first bearing 120 is seated in the outer rail body 111. Portions of the balls
129 are received in the corresponding raceways 113.
[0046] The intermediate rail 130 includes an intermediate rail body 131.
[0047] Bent in the same direction, two flanges 132 are respectively provided on opposite
edges of the intermediate rail body 131 with respect to a longitudinal axis of the
intermediate rail body 131. An inner raceway 133 and an outer raceway 134 are respectively
formed on inner and outer surfaces of each flange 132.
[0048] The outer raceway 134 protrudes from the outer surface of the flange 132 towards
the inside of the intermediate rail body 131, that is, towards an imaginary center
line drawn on the intermediate portion of the intermediate rail body 131 in the longitudinal
direction of the intermediate rail body 131.
[0049] Portions of the balls 129 of the first bearing 120 are received in each outer raceway
134. Therefore, when the intermediate rail body 131 is seated in the outer rail body
111, the retainer 121 is disposed in a form in which it is interposed between the
intermediate rail body 131 and the outer rail body 111. The balls 129 are received
both in the raceways 113 of the outer rail body 111 and in the outer raceways 134
of the intermediate rail body 131 and are brought into rolling contact with the raceways
113 and the outer raceways 134 so that the outer rail body 111 and the intermediate
rail body 131 can smoothly slide relative to each other.
[0050] The inner raceways 133 are configured to protrude in opposite directions to the outer
raceways 134. Balls 149 of the second bearing 140, which will be explained later herein,
are received in the inner raceways 133.
[0051] A stopper 135 is provided in the intermediate rail body 131 so that a movement range
of the inner rail body 151 is limited by the stopper 135. Preferably, the stopper
135 is provided on an extension-direction-side end of the intermediate rail body 131.
[0052] The second bearing 140 includes a retainer 141 and the balls 149.
[0053] Bent in the same direction, two flanges 142 are respectively provided on opposite
edges of the retainer 141 with respect to a longitudinal axis of the retainer 141.
Arranged in the longitudinal direction of the flange 142, a plurality of ball insert
holes 143 are formed in the flange 142. The balls 149 are disposed in the respective
ball insert holes 143.
[0054] The second bearing 140 is seated in the intermediate rail body 131, and portions
of the balls 149 are received in the inner raceway 133.
[0055] The inner rail 150 includes the inner rail body 151 and a shock absorption means
159.
[0056] Bent in the same direction, two flanges 152 are respectively provided on opposite
edges of the inner rail body 151 with respect to a longitudinal axis of the inner
rail body 151. A raceway 153 is formed on each flange 152 along the longitudinal direction
of the flange 152. The raceway 153 has an appropriate shape to receive portions of
the balls 149.
[0057] When the inner rail body 151 is seated in the intermediate rail body 131, the retainer
141 is disposed in a form in which it is interposed between the intermediate rail
body 131 and the inner rail body 151. The balls 149 are received between the inner
raceways 133 and the raceways 153 of the inner rail body 151 and are brought into
rolling contact with the inner raceways 133 and the raceways 153 so that the intermediate
rail body 131 and the inner rail body 151 can smoothly slide relative to each other.
[0058] A stopper 156 is provided in the inner rail body 151. The stopper 156 comes into
contact with the stopper 135 and limits a range within which the inner rail body 151
can slide relative to the intermediate rail body 131 in the retraction direction B.
Preferably, the stopper 156 is provided on an extension-direction-side end of the
inner rail body 151.
[0059] The shock absorption means 159 is provided to reduce shock and noise generated when
the stopper 135 of the inner rail body 151 comes into contact with the stopper 135
of the intermediate rail body 131. Preferably, the shock absorption means 159 is made
of elastic material. As shown in the drawings, the shock absorption means 159 may
be coupled to the stopper 156 or, alternatively, it may be coupled to the stopper
135.
[0060] The inner rail body 151 has a stopper 155 limiting a movement range of the retainer
141, and a coupling part 157 and a coupling hole 158 by which the inner rail body
151 is fastened to the storage body 11 or the drawer 12.
[0061] The outer rail body 111 and the intermediate rail body 131 are coupled so as to be
slidable relative to each other, and the intermediate rail body 131 and the inner
rail body 151 are also coupled so as to be slidable relative to each other. Such sliding
movement can be smoothly and reliably embodied by the first bearing 120 and the second
bearing 140.
[0062] For reference, when the intermediate rail body 131 slides relative to the outer rail
body 111 in the extension direction A, the balls 129 rotate between the raceway 113
and the outer raceway 134, and the retainer 121 also moves in the direction in which
the intermediate rail body 131.
[0063] During this process, when the intermediate rail body 131 reaches a limit of the movement
range within which it can move relative to the outer rail body 111, a stopper-contact
part 125 formed on the retainer 121 comes into contact with the stopper 115. Then,
the retainer 121 can no longer move; therefore, the intermediate rail body 131 no
longer moves relative to the outer rail body 111 in the extension direction A.
[0064] In the same manner, when the stopper 135 of the intermediate rail body 131 comes
into contact with a stopper-contact part 146 formed on an extension-direction-side
end of the retainer 141 or the stopper 155 of the inner rail body 151 comes into contact
with a stopper-contact part 145 formed on a retraction-direction-side end of the retainer
141, the inner rail body 151 no longer moves relative to the intermediate rail body
131 in the extension direction A.
[0065] Meanwhile, an actuating block 160 is provided at a predetermined position on a retraction-direction-side
end of the inner rail body 151. The actuating block 160 is disposed on a surface of
the inner rail body 151 that faces the intermediate rail body 131.
[0066] The actuating block 160 includes an actuating block body 161. A coupling slot 162
and a guide surface 163 are formed on the actuating block 160. The actuating block
160 will be explained in more detail later herein.
[0067] Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the automatic closing means of the drawer slide shown in
Fig. 1. The automatic closing means will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and
4.
[0068] Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the automatic closing means 200 includes a closing means
body 210, an operating rail 211, a slider 230, an operating pin 250 and elastic bodies
270.
[0069] As described with reference to Fig. 1, the closing means body 210 is coupled to the
second surface of the outer rail (110 of Fig. 1) that is opposite to the surface of
the outer rail 110 that is coupled to the storage body (11 of Fig. 1). The closing
means body 210 is disposed on the retraction-direction-side end of the outer rail
110. As shown in the drawings, the operating rail 211 and the elastic-body supports
215 are provided on the closing means body 210.
[0070] The operating rail 211 protrudes from the closing means body 210 towards the other
end of the outer rail 110, that is, in the extension direction A. A guide depression
212 is formed in the operating rail 211. The guide depression 212 includes a linear
portion 212a and a curved portion 212b.
[0071] Extending parallel to the extension direction A or the retraction direction B, a
slot is formed in the linear portion 212a. The curved portion 212b extends from an
end of the linear portion 212a that corresponds to the extension-direction-side end
of the outer rail 110. The curved portion 212b is curved in a direction different
from the direction parallel to the linear portion 212a. Preferably, the direction
in which the curved portion 212b extends is approximately perpendicular to the direction
parallel to the linear portion 212a.
[0072] The coupling hole 216 formed in the closing means body 210 and the coupling hole
217 formed in the end of the operating rail 211 are used to fasten the closing means
body 210 to the outer rail 110. The coupling holes 216 and 217 are formed at positions
corresponding to the coupling holes (116 of Fig. 1) formed in the outer rail 110.
[0073] The slider 230 is coupled to the operating rail 211 so as to be slidable in the longitudinal
direction of the operating rail 211. The slider 230 has a pin hole 231, push rods
233, elastic-body supports 235 and a shock absorber 219.
[0074] The pin hole 231 has a slot shape extending a predetermined length in a direction
corresponding to the orientation of the curved portion 212b. The elastic-body supports
325 are provided on opposite sides of the slider 230. As shown in the drawings, the
push rods 233 protrude from the elastic-body supports 325 in the extension direction
A, that is, in the direction parallel to the direction in which the operating rail
211 protrudes from the closing means body 210. For reference, the push rods 233 may
protrude from another portion of the slider 230 rather than the elastic-body supports
325, although this is not shown in the drawings.
[0075] The shock absorber 219 is provided to reduce shock generated when the end of the
operating rail 211 collides with the intermediate rail (130 of Fig. 1). As shown in
the drawings, the shock absorber 219 may be provided on the end of the operating rail
211. Alternatively, the shock absorber 219 may be provided on ends of the push rods
233 although this is not shown in the drawings.
[0076] For reference, as shown in the drawings, the shock absorber 219 may be integrally
formed with the slider 230 in a form protruding from the slider 230. Alternatively,
although it is not shown in the drawings, the shock absorber 219 may be configured
in such a way that a shock absorption member made of elastic material is coupled to
the slider 230. As a further alterative, although it is not shown in the drawings,
the shock absorption member may be coupled to a portion of the intermediate rail (130
of Fig. 1) that comes into contact with the slider 230.
[0077] The operating pin 250 is configured such that a first end thereof is inserted into
the guide depression 212 and a second end thereof passes through the pin hole 231
of the slider 230. For reference, the structure and operational principle of the operating
pin 250 are explained in detail in Korean Patent Unexamined Publication No.
10-2008-0089126 filed by the applicant of the present invention.
[0078] A first end of each elastic body 270 is fastened to the corresponding elastic-body
support 215 provided on the closing means body 210. A second end of the elastic body
270 is fastened to the corresponding elastic-body support 235 provided on the slider
230. Each elastic body 270 is a tension spring, which is elastically biased in a contraction
direction when it is extended. The elastic bodies 270 elastically support the slider
230 in the retraction direction B. In other words, the elastic bodies 270 elastically
support the slider 230 with respect to the closing means body 210 such that the distance
between the slider 230 and the closing means body 210 is minimized.
[0079] Figs. 5 through 7 are views illustrating the operation of the drawer sliding device
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For reference, in Figs.
5 through 7, a portion of the drawer sliding device (1 of Fig. 1) of the first embodiment
to which the automatic closing means (200 of Fig. 1) is coupled is simplified. The
first bearing (120 of Fig. 2) and the second bearing (140 of Fig. 2) are partially
illustrated only in Fig. 6 and are omitted in the other drawings. Although the operating
block body 161 is disposed at a position at which it is covered with the inner rail
body 151, it is shown by a solid line for the sake of explanation.
[0080] Fig. 5 illustrates a portion of the drawer sliding device (1 of Fig. 1) when the
drawer (12 of Fig. 1) is moved to the end in the retraction direction B and thus is
in a closed state.
[0081] When the drawer 12 is in the closed state, the intermediate rail body 131 and the
inner rail body 151 are located at positions as adjacent to the closing means body
210 as possible within the range in which they can move in the retraction direction
B. In other words, the retraction-direction-side end of the intermediate rail body
131 is located at a position at which it makes contact with the extension-direction-side
ends of the push rods 233. The inner rail body 151 is located such that the second
end of the operating pin 250 is disposed in the coupling slot 162 of the operating
block body 161. The second end of the operating pin 250 refers to the portion of the
operating pin 250 that protrudes outwards through the pin hole 231 of the slider 230
as described above.
[0082] At this time, the first end of the operating pin 250 is disposed in the linear portion
212a, whereby the operating pin 250 is prevented from moving in the longitudinal direction
of the pin hole 231. Therefore, while the second end of the operating pin 250 is disposed
in the coupling slot 162, the operating pin 250 is prevented from being separated
from the operating block body 161 because the second end of the operating pin 250
is coupled to the coupling slot 162.
[0083] In this state, when a user moves the drawer 12 in the extension direction A to open
the drawer 12, the inner rail body 151 coupled to the drawer 12 is moved in the extension
direction A. Then, because the operating pin 250 is coupled to the coupling slot 162,
the slider 230 is also moved in the extension direction A as the inner rail body 151
to which the operating block body 161 is coupled is moved.
[0084] The elastic bodies 270 that are fastened at the opposite ends thereof to the closing
means body 210 and the slider 230 is therefore extended while the slider 230 is elastically
biased towards the closing means body 210. That is, if the force by which the inner
rail body 151 is moved in the extension direction A is removed, the inner rail body
151 can return to the state of Fig. 5.
[0085] Meanwhile, as the slider 230 moves in the extension direction A, the intermediate
rail body 131 is pushed by the push rods 233 and moved along with the inner rail body
151 in the extension direction A.
[0086] Fig. 6 illustrates the decoupling of the inner rail body 151 from the slider 230
during the process of moving the drawer (12 of Fig. 1) in the extension direction
A.
[0087] Fig. 6 also illustrates the operation pin 250 decoupled from the coupling slot 162.
[0088] As mentioned above, when the slider 230 reaches the curved portion 212b while the
drawer 12 moves in the extension direction A, the first end of the operating pin 250
that has been guided by the linear portion 212a and moved along the linear portion
212a enters the curved portion 212b. The second end of the operating pin 250 moves
to the end of the curved portion 212b along the edge of the coupling slot 162 formed
in the operating block body 161. Thereby, the second end of the operating pin 250
is removed from the coupling slot 162.
[0089] When the second end of the operating pin 250 is removed from the coupling slot 162,
the inner rail body 151 is separated from the slider 230; therefore, the force applied
to the inner rail body 151 while pulling out the drawer 12 is not transmitted to the
slider 230.
[0090] Just until the operating pin 250 is removed from the coupling slot 162, the slider
230 moves along with the inner rail body 151 in the extension direction A; therefore,
the intermediate rail body 131 pushed by the push rods 233 also moves along with the
inner rail body 151 in the extension direction A.
[0091] Here, the slider 230 enters a state in which the first end of the operating pin 250
is coupled to the end of the curved portion 212b. The slider 230 maintains contact
with the extension-direction-side end of the operating rail 211 until the first end
of the operating pin 250 is returned to the linear portion 212a by force applied to
the second end of the operating pin 250 towards the junction between the linear portion
212a and the curved portion 212b.
[0092] Fig. 7 illustrates the inner rail body 151 and the intermediate rail body 131 further
moved together in the extension direction A.
[0093] As described above, when the inner rail body 151 moves in the extension direction
A from the position at which the drawer 12 is closed, the inner rail body 151, the
slider 230 and the intermediate rail body 131 are moved together in the extension
direction A.
[0094] When the slider 230 reaches the limit of the range within which it can move, that
is, the first end of the operating pin 250 enters the curved portion 212b, the slider
230 stops. When the slider stops, the intermediate rail body 131 is separated from
the push rods 233 and thus is no longer pushed by the push rods 233.
[0095] After the intermediate rail body 131 begins to move along with the inner rail body
151, although the intermediate rail body 131 is not pushed by the push rods 233, the
intermediate rail body 131 can move in the direction in which it has moved along with
the inner rail body 151, that is, in the extension direction A.
[0096] The reason for this is because of the inertia applied to the intermediate rail body
131 and a difference in the magnitude of the friction coefficient among the inner
rail body 151, the intermediate rail body 131 and the outer rail body 111. This will
be explained in detail with reference to Fig. 8.
[0097] Fig. 8 is a sectional view of portion E of Fig. 6.
[0098] Referring to Fig. 8, the balls (129 of Fig. 2) of the first bearing (120 of Fig.
2) are interposed between the flange 112 of the outer rail body 111 and the flange
132 of the intermediate rail body 131. The balls (149 of Fig. 2) of the second bearing
(140 of Fig. 2) are interposed between the flange 132 of the intermediate rail body
131 and the flange 152 of the inner rail body 151.
[0099] The balls 129 of the first bearing (120 of Fig. 2) are disposed in the respective
ball insert holes 123 formed in the flange 122 of the retainer (121 of Fig. 2). The
balls 149 of the second bearing (140 of Fig. 2) are disposed in the respective ball
insert holes 149 formed in the flange 142 of the retainer (141 of Fig. 2).
[0100] The inner diameter of each of the ball insert holes 123 and 143 is generally greater
than the outer diameter of the corresponding ball 129, 149; however, a portion of
each ball 129, 149 comes into contact with a portion of the inner surface of the corresponding
ball insert hole 123, 143 because the outer rail body 111, the intermediate rail body
131, and the inner rail body 151 drawer slide relative to each other during the pulling-out
or retraction process of the drawer 12.
[0101] As described above with reference to Figs. 5 through 7, when the drawer (12 of Fig.
1) begins to move in the extension direction A from the closed state, the inner rail
body 151 fastened to the drawer 12, the slider 230 coupled to the inner rail body
151 by the operating pin 250 and the intermediate rail body 131 pushed by the push
rods 233 protruding from the slider 230 begin to move together.
[0102] Reference character Vi in the drawing denotes a speed of movement of the inner rail
body 151, and reference character Vm denotes a speed of movement of the intermediate
rail body 131. Vi and Vm have the same magnitude because the inner rail body 151 and
the intermediate rail body 131 integrally move together.
[0103] Here, not only the weight of the drawer 12 but also the weight of objects received
in the drawer 12 are applied to the inner rail body 151 fastened to the drawer 12.
The sum of weights is transmitted to the intermediate rail body 131 via the balls
149.
[0104] Therefore, just after the intermediate rail body 131 begins to move along with the
inner rail body 151, inertial force derived from the movement is applied to the intermediate
rail body 131 and the inner rail body 151. The intermediate rail body 131 and the
inner rail body 151 can maintain the integrated movement until external force is applied
to the intermediate rail body 131 and the inner rail body 151 in the counter direction
to the direction in which they are moving.
[0105] Furthermore, the balls 149 interposed between the flange 132 of the intermediate
rail body 131 and the flange 152 of the inner rail body 151 do not rotate because
there is no relative movement between the inner rail body 151 and the intermediate
rail body 131. Therefore, static friction force is applied to the surfaces of the
balls 149 that do not move; however, kinetic friction force is applied to the surfaces
of the balls 129 that are rotating.
[0106] It is known that the coefficient of kinetic friction is always less than the coefficient
of static friction. Thus, the coefficient of static friction of the static friction
force applied to the balls 149 of the second bearing 140 is greater than the coefficient
of kinetic friction of the kinetic friction force applied to the balls 129 of the
first bearing 120. Thanks to such a difference in coefficient of friction, the intermediate
rail body 131 that is moved along the inner rail body 151 by the push rods 233 can
still move along with the inner rail body 151 even after the intermediate rail body
131 is separated from the push rods 233.
[0107] As described above, during the process of pulling out the drawer 12 to open it, the
intermediate rail body 131 is pushed by the push rods 233 and thus moved along with
the inner rail body 151. Even after the slider 230 reaches the limit of the movement
range, that is, even when the intermediate rail body 131 is no longer pushed by the
push rods 233, the intermediate rail body 131 can be still moved along with the inner
rail body 151 by the inertial force and the difference in coefficient of friction.
[0108] The intermediate rail body 131 is moved along with the inner rail body 151 until
the intermediate rail body 131 reaches the critical point of the range within which
it can move relative to the outer rail body 111. After that, the intermediate rail
body 131 stops, and the inner rail body 151 slides relative to the intermediate rail
body 131.
[0109] As such, in the drawer sliding device 1 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, the inner rail body 151 and the intermediate rail body 131 are
moved together in the extension direction A when the drawer 12 that has been in the
closed state is pulled out. This movement is continuous within the range in which
the intermediate rail body 131 can move in the extension direction A.
[0110] Therefore, the drawer sliding device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present
invention has the following advantages by virtue of the configuration in which the
intermediate rail (130 of Fig. 1) and the inner rail (150 of Fig. 1) are moved together
when the drawer 12 is pulled out. The load support capacity of the drawer slide (100
of fig. 1) can be enhanced and the drawer 12 can be smoothly and reliably moved and
pulled out. Additionally, during the process of pulling out the drawer 12, the drawer
slide 100 can be prevented from excessively drooping, and noise can be prevented.
These advantages are can be obtained because the drawer sliding device 1 according
to the first embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the operation
of the intermediate rail 130 is controlled by the automatic closing means 200, unlike
the intermediate rail (not shown) of the typical triple drawer slide (not shown) that
is completely passively operated.
[0111] Figs. 9 through 11 are views illustrating the operation of a drawer sliding device,
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0112] Fig. 9 is a view showing conditions of the drawer sliding device according to the
second embodiment when the drawer is in a closed state.
[0113] Referring to Fig. 9, a slot 139 is formed in an end of an intermediate rail body
131 that is adjacent to the closing means body 210, in other words, corresponds to
the retraction direction B. The slot 139 has an appropriate size to receive the operating
rail 211 when the drawer 12 is in the closed state, that is, when the intermediate
rail body 131 is moved in the retraction direction B to the maximum within the range
in which the intermediate rail body 131 can move.
[0114] A portion of the retraction-directional end of the intermediate rail body 131 other
than the slot 139 comes into contact with the slider 230.
[0115] Fig. 10 illustrates the decoupling of the inner rail body 151 from the slider 230
during the process of moving the drawer (12 of Fig. 1) in the extension direction
A.
[0116] Fig. 10 also illustrates the operation pin 250 that is being removed from the coupling
slot 162. The process of decoupling the operating pin 250 from the coupling slot 162
is the same as that described above with reference to Fig. 6; therefore, further description
will be omitted.
[0117] However, in the drawer sliding device according to the second embodiment of the present
invention, the portion of the retraction-directional end of the intermediate rail
body 131 other than the slot 139 is brought into contact with the slider 230 and is
pushed by the slider 230 in the extension direction A until the operating pin 250
is removed from the coupling slot 162.
[0118] Thereby, the intermediate rail body 131 is moved along with the inner rail body 151
in the extension direction A.
[0119] Fig. 11 illustrates the inner rail body 151 and the intermediate rail body 131 of
the drawer sliding device according to the second embodiment that have further moved
together in the extension direction A.
[0120] By virtue of the inertial force and the difference in coefficient of friction that
have been described with reference to Fig. 8, the intermediate rail body 131 can be
moved along with the inner rail body 151 in the extension direction A even when the
portion of the retraction-directional end of the intermediate rail body 131 other
than the slot 139 is separated from the slider 230 and is no longer pushed by the
slider 230 in the extension direction A.
[0121] The drawer sliding device according to the second embodiment of the present invention
having the above-mentioned construction has not only the effects of the drawer sliding
device (1 of Fig. 1) according to the first embodiment that have been described with
reference to Fig. 8 but also the following effects. As shown in Fig. 9, because the
slot 139 has a length D1 corresponding to the length of the operating rail 211, the
operating rail 211 can be manufactured such that the length thereof can be changed
as needed. Thereby, the range of the operation of the automatic closing means can
be adjusted. In other words, in the second embodiment, the range in which the drawer
12 can be automatically closed when it is moved in the retraction direction B can
be increased or reduced as needed.
[0122] Furthermore, in the drawer sliding device according to the second embodiment of the
present invention, the length of the intermediate rail body 131 is increased by D1.
Thus, the length of a portion of the outer rail body 111 that supports the load transmitted
from the drawer 12 to the intermediate rail body 131 through the inner rail body 151
is also increased. The structural strength of the drawer sliding device according
to the second embodiment is therefore increased.
[0123] Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic closing means of a drawer
sliding device, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 13
through 15 are views illustrating the operation of the drawer sliding device according
to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0124] Referring to Fig. 12, in the automatic closing means of the drawer sliding device
according to the third embodiment, the thickness t of an operating rail 211a differs
from that of the automatic closing means (200 of Fig. 3) described with reference
to Figs. 3 and 4. A fastening depression 218 is formed unlike the automatic closing
means (200 of Fig. 3). A shock absorber 234 in lieu of the push rods (233 of Fig.
3) is provided. The general structure of the automatic closing means according to
the third embodiment other than the above-mentioned construction is the same as that
of the automatic closing means (200 of Fig. 3); therefore, further explanation will
be omitted.
[0125] Referring to Figs. 12 and 13, the thickness t of the operating rail 211a provided
in the automatic closing means of the drawer sliding device according to the third
embodiment of the present invention, that is, the height to which the operating rail
211a protrudes from the second surface of the outer rail body 111 that faces the intermediate
rail body 113, is less than a distance between the second surface of the outer rail
body 111 and the intermediate rail body 113 although this is not shown in detail in
the drawings.
[0126] Therefore, when the drawer (12 of Fig. 1) is in the closed state and the intermediate
rail body 131 is moved to the maximum in the retraction direction B, an extension-direction-side
portion of the operating rail 211a is covered with a retraction-direction-side portion
of the intermediate rail body 131, as shown in Fig. 13. That is, when the drawer 12
is retracted and closed, the extension-direction-side portion of the operating rail
211a is located between the outer rail body 111 and the intermediate rail body 131.
[0127] Given this, the thickness t of the operating rail 211a is preferably minimized within
a range in which the guide depression 212 can have a sufficient depth to reliably
guide the first end of the operating pin 250.
[0128] For reference, if an insert hole (not shown) having a shape corresponding to the
operating rail 211a is formed in a portion of the outer rail body 111 in which the
operating rail 211a is disposed, the operating rail 211a is inserted into the insert
hole, and the thickness t of the operating rail 211a can be ensured by the thickness
of the outer rail body 111. In other words, if the outer rail body 111 is configured
such that the operating rail 211a can be inserted into the insert hole (not shown),
the thickness t of the operating rail 211a can be increased by the depth of the insert
hole without increasing the height to which the operating rail 211a protrudes from
the surface of the outer rail body 111 that faces the intermediate rail body 113.
In this way, the guide depression 212 of the operating rail 211a can be configured
to have a sufficient depth.
[0129] Furthermore, when the operating rail 211a is configured such that it can be inserted
into the insert hole (not shown), the space required for installation of the automatic
closing means of the drawer sliding device according to the third embodiment can be
minimized.
[0130] To minimize the thickness t of the operating rail 211a, the fastening depression
218 may be formed in the end of the operating rail 211a in lieu of the coupling hole
(216 of Fig. 3) that has been described with reference to Fig. 3. A fastening piece
(not shown) provided by cutting and bending a portion of the outer rail body 111 is
inserted into the fastening depression 218 so that the end of the operating rail 211a
is fastened to the outer rail body 111.
[0131] As such, by virtue of the reduced thickness t of the operating rail 211a, the intermediate
rail body 131 can be configured to make contact with the slider 230 without forming
the slot (139 of Fig. 9) in the intermediate rail body 131 or providing the push rods
(233 of Fig. 3) on the slider 230.
[0132] A shock absorber 234 is provided at a position at which the slider 230 makes contact
with the intermediate rail body 131. The shock absorber 234 functions to reduce shock
or noise generated by collision between the slider 230 and the intermediate rail body
131. As shown in the drawings, the shock absorber 234 may comprise a shock absorption
protrusion protruding from the slider 230. Alternatively, although it is not shown
in the drawings, the shock absorber 234 may be configured in such a way that a shock
absorption member made of elastic material is coupled to the intermediate rail body
131.
[0133] Fig. 14 shows the operating pin 250 decoupled from the coupling slot 162. The process
of decoupling the operating pin 250 is the same as that described above with reference
to Fig. 6; therefore, further description will be omitted.
[0134] In the drawer sliding device according to the third embodiment of the present invention,
until the operating pin 250 is decoupled from the coupling slot 162, the retraction-direction-side
end of the intermediate rail body 131 makes contact with the slider 230; therefore,
the intermediate rail body 131 is pushed in the extension direction A by the slider
230 and thus moved along with the inner rail body 151 in the extension direction A.
[0135] Fig. 15 illustrates the inner rail body 151 and the intermediate rail body 131 of
the drawer sliding device of the third embodiment that are further moved together
in the extension direction A.
[0136] By virtue of the inertial force and the difference in coefficient of friction that
have been described with reference to Fig. 8, the intermediate rail body 131 can be
moved along with the inner rail body 151 in the extension direction A even when the
intermediate rail body 131 is separated from the slider 230 and is no longer pushed
in the extension direction A by the slider 230.
[0137] Compared to the drawer sliding device according to the second embodiment described
above, the drawer sliding device according to the third embodiment of the present
invention having the above-mentioned construction is advantageous in that the range
of the operation of the automatic closing means can be increased without a reduction
in the structural strength of the intermediate rail body 131. In other words, the
intermediate rail body 131 of the drawer sliding device according to the third embodiment
of the present invention has no slot (139 of Fig. 9), thus preventing the strength
of the intermediate rail body 131 from reducing.
[0138] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 13, the drawer sliding device according to the third
embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the length of the intermediate
rail body 131 does not influence the length D2 of the operating rail 211a at all.
Therefore, the drawer sliding device may be manufactured such that the length of the
operating rail 211a can be changed to adjust the range of the operation of the automatic
closing means as needed. That is, the range in which the drawer 12 can be automatically
closed when it is moved in the retraction direction B can be increased or reduced
as needed.
[0139] Meanwhile, the structure and operation method for guiding, using the guide depression
(212 of Fig. 3 or 12), the operating pin (250 of Fig. 3 or 12) of the automatic closing
means (refer to Fig. 3 or 12) provided in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present
invention can be changed in a variety of ways. For instance, the structure and operation
method of the operating pin 250 may be changed into those introduced in Korean Patent
Registration No.
1056922,
1114477 or
1129569, filed by the applicant of the present invention.
[0140] Although the preferred embodiments of the drawer sliding device according to the
present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, the spirit of the
invention is not limited to the embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing
from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
Such modifications, additions and substitutions must be regarded as falling within
the scope of the present invention.