AUTOMATIC HOMING SLIDE TRACK DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention provides an automatic homing slide track device which comprises: a bottom track and a slide track provided with a push rod protruding from one side; a control base comprising a spring groove and an actuating slide way with a slot defined at the front end; a slide/swing unit with a slide member and a swing member joining each other wherein the swing member is provided with a clasper at the front end and an actuating part at the rear end on which there is at least a second actuating groove designed at the front part; a flexible member allowing its front and rear ends to be fixed on the slide member' and the spring groove's rear ends, respectively. The abovementioned push rod can enter the second actuating groove of the swing member and slide and deflect the swing member.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automatic homing device, particularly an automatic homing slide track device featuring a compact structure for correct steady operations and simple operation steps for troubleshooting.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cabinet lockers or drawers have been extensively applied in various storage implements. To realize a cabinet locker (drawer) which is conveniently pulled out, those slide tracks with functions for positioning and guidance are usually integrated into both laterals of a cabinet locker (drawer). For stable close of a cabinet locker (drawer), the slide tracks are further integrated with an automatic homing structure which allows the cabinet locker (drawer) arriving at a rear part to be pulled and automatically move backward until a stable close state. As shown in Patent No. M349712 for a slide track's automatic homing technique based on prior arts, the automatic homing slide track device comprises: (a) a bottom track with an inner track which oppositely slides on the bottom track; (b) a control device comprising a control base and a slide cover: (b.1) the control base which is fixed on the bottom track is provided with a buffer member and at least a spring wherein the buffer member has a dry rubber damping buffer stick and the spring links between the control base and the slide cover; (b.2) the control base further comprises an extended control tab with a concave guide groove wherein the guide groove is provided with a slot at the rear lateral side and a slanted guide groove at the other rear lateral end of the slot; (b.3) the slide cover moves to cap the control base and comprises a buffering tube, which is used to link the dry rubber damping buffer stick, and a first spin groove (front) as well as a second spin groove (rear) at the rear part; (c) a swing member installed in the slide cover and comprising (c.1) a first actuating block with its front end held in the first spin groove, (c.2) a second actuating block with its rear part held in the second spin groove, and (c.3) an insert part underneath embedded in the guide groove; (d) a linkage member fixed in the inner track and provided with (d.1) a convex stopping part including a lateral-accommodating concave part at the rear end and (d.2) a forward thrust part at the front end.

Despite an automatic homing effect for opening and closing, the automatic homing slide track device based on prior arts still has some drawbacks, for instance, a control base is installed on a bottom base to accommodate some components, e.g., spring and buffer member, and position and slide the slide cover; the control base is provided with the slot and the slanted guide groove at the rear end of the concave guide groove for deflecting the swing member which has been held in the slide cover; the inner track is provided with a corresponding linkage member on which there are a convex stopping part, a lateral-accommodating concave part and a forward thrust part installed for linking and controlling the swing member. As such, the automatic homing slide track device becomes a considerably complicated assembly which apparently increases costs in manufacture, assembly and maintenance, comprises complex faulty components threatening economic benefits, and is not an ideal design obviously. Additionally, the position of the linkage member relative to the swing member which is driven by the linkage member on the inner track might be deviated due to collision or vibration during operation of the inner track; the swing member which is pulled by the spring at the slide cover automatically moves forward, gets out of control of the linkage member, and causes failure of the cabinet's automatic homing function which is not repaired by a user's simple operation and deserves to be corrected or prevented. Other drawbacks of the automatic homing slide track device necessary to be corrected are: a complicated automatic homing slide track device occupies a large operating space and is disadvantageous to application of a specific cabinet (e.g., refrigerator crisper); a refrigerator frosts when moisture in ambient air permeating a crisper or attaching slide tracks during an open/close operation of the refrigerator crisper is cooled; an automatic homing slide track device based on prior arts frosts or has dust accumulated. As a result, it is necessary to correct or overcome above drawbacks of prior automatic homing slide track devices by the persons skilled in the arts.

Accordingly, the inventor having considered imperfects of prior automatic homing slide tracks in manufacture, assembly, maintenance and structure and attempted to optimize the automatic homing slide track device with features such as convenient manufacture and assembly, economic stable operation, and serviceability in refrigerator crispers has studied and developed a solution for serving the general public and promoting development of the industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic homing slide track device which features a compact automatic homing slide track for correct stable operations, components simply and quickly assembled/disassembled, reduced manufacture, assembly and maintenance costs, and positive economic benefits.

The other object of the present invention is to provide an automatic homing slide track device which features a low failure rate and simple operation steps preventing the present invention from accident-induced troubles or inconvenience of follow-up usage and maintenance.

The further object of the present invention is to provide an automatic homing slide track device which is applicable to a special cabinet such as refrigerator crisper, minimizes drawbacks like frosting and accumulated dust, and promotes quality of one refrigerator.

With some techniques used to achieve the above objects, the present invention comprises: (a) a bottom track with a bottom track space; (b) a slide track moving in the bottom track space of the bottom track and provided with a push rod protruding from one side; (c) a control base fixed on the bottom track and comprising a spring groove at the rear part and an actuating slide way at the front part on which there is a slot defined at the front end; (d) a slide/swing unit installed in the actuating slide way of the control base and comprising a slide member and a swing member, both of which join each other and slide synchronously: the swing member which is installed at the front end of the slide member has a clasper and an actuating part at its front and rear parts respectively wherein the actuating part is provided with at least a second actuating groove at the front end; (e) a flexible member held in the control base's spring groove and allowing its front and rear ends to be fixed on the slide member's and the spring groove's rear ends, respectively. In the previous structure, the push rod enters the second actuating groove of the swing member to slide and deflect the swing member and make the clasper withheld in the slot.

For technical features and effects in terms of the present disclosure completely understood and recognized, the preferred embodiments and detailed drawings are described hereinafter:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view illustrating the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a partial exploded view illustrating the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the present invention which has been assembled.

FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of the present invention which is pulled forward.

FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of the present invention which is pushed backward.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the present invention for troubleshooting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 3A which illustrate the present invention of an automatic homing slide track device comprises a bottom track 10, a slide track 20, a control base 30, a slide/swing unit 40 and a flexible member 50. The bottom track 10 comprises a mounted plate 11 and a bottom track space 12 wherein the mounted plate 11 has mounting holes 111 used to fix the automatic homing slide track device on a cabinet wall (not shown in figures) such as refrigerator's inner wall, a front pilot hole 112 and a rear pilot hole 113. The slide track 20 which is fixed on a locker or a cabinet (not shown in figures) and oppositely slides on the bottom track 10 comprises (a) a slide track part 21 installed on one flank (e.g., bottom) and embedded in the bottom track space 12 for corresponding slide or movement and (b) a push rod 22 properly protruding from one flank of the slide track 20; the slide track 20 further comprises a two-track device, i.e., inner track and outer track, for an extended length in one embodiment.

The control base 30 comprises a mounted plate 31 extending at the front end and a mounted plate 32 extending at the rear end wherein a mounting hole 311 and a mounting hole 321 are opened on the two mounted plates, respectively; the control base 30 is fixed on the mounted plate 11 of the bottom track 10 by bolts 312, 322 penetrating the mounting holes 311, 321 and their corresponding holes such as front pilot hole 112 and rear pilot hole 113 on the bottom track 10. The control base 30 also comprises a main base plate 301 and a spring groove 33 at the rear part and an actuating slide way 34 at the front part, both of which link each other: the spring groove 33 is a U-shaped groove enclosed by the main base plate 301 and two lateral end sheets 332, 333 and provided with a fastening part 331 at the rear end; the slightly winding actuating slide way 34 is a double U-shaped groove enclosed by the end sheet 332, the main base plate 301, the end sheet 333 and an extender 341 and provided with a baffle 342 at the rear end as a fallback of the slide/swing unit 40 during a reverse movement. A through window 343 is opened on the main base plate 301 of the control base 30 and opposite to the actuating slide way 34; a stopper 344 is designed on the front end of the through window 343 and extends backward; a slot 345 is developed at the front end of the actuating slide way 34 (the control base 30). The slide/swing unit 40 which is held in the actuating slide way 34 of the control base 30 comprises a slide member 41 and a swing member 42, both of which join each other and slide synchronously: the slide member 41 is provided with a positioning part 411 at the rear end and a pin joint part 412 at the front end on which there is a pivot 413; the swing member 42 installed at the front end of the slide member 41 is provided with a joint hole 421 at the rear end and an end part 422 at the front end wherein the joint hole 421 is coupled with the pivot 413 of the slide member 41 and the end part 422 has a slanted guide plane 422a, front low and back high, and a convex clasper 423 at one flank. Furthermore, a separator 424 between front and rear ends of the swing member 42 comprises a first actuating groove 425 and a second actuating groove 426 at its front end and rear end, respectively; an actuating channel 427 is developed among the first actuating groove 425, the second actuating groove 426 and the separator 424 of the swing member 42. In this embodiment, the actuating channel 427 of the swing member 42 is positioned at the side near to the end sheet 332 so that an offset design is considered in a movement path at which the actuating channel 427 (second actuating groove 426) is opposite to the joint hole 421 (pivot 413); an actuating part 428 of the swing member 42 is developed at the rear end of the second actuating groove 426; both the slide member 41 and the swing member 42 held in the actuating slide way 34 attaches the main base plate 301 and are confined by the end sheet 332, the end sheet 333 and the extender 341.

The flexible member 50 which is held in the spring groove 33 of the control base 30 is considered as one spring and described in this embodiment and is provided with shrink parts 51, 52 at its front and rear ends wherein the shrink parts 51, 52 are coupled with the positioning part 411 of the slide member 41 and the fastening part 331 at the rear end of the control base 30 (spring groove 33) respectively, so as to hold the flexible member 50 between the rear end of the control base 30 and the slide member 41 (FIG. 4) and pull the slide member 41 (slide/swing unit 40). As shown in FIG. 4, the present invention of an assembled automatic homing slide track device allows the push rod 22 of the slide track 20 to enter the second actuating groove 426 of the swing member 42 and slide and swing the slide/swing unit 40.

Referring to FIGS. 5An and 5B which illustrate the push rod 22 of the slide track 20 moving forward with a pulled locker drives the swing member 42 (slide/swing unit 40) onward and further pulls the flexible member 50 due to the slide member 41. When the pulled swing member 42 arrives at the slot 345 at the front end of the actuating slide way 34 (control base 30), the swing member 42 under application of a pull on the slide track 20 and the push rod 22 will deflects because the end part 422 at the front end of the swing member 42 is not against the actuating slide way 34; the deflected swing member 42 under the pull applied on the flexible member 50 allows the clasper 423 of the swing member 42 to be withheld in the slot 345 and stays in a steady state temporarily. The push rod 22 moving forward departs from the second actuating groove 426, continuing its movement along the actuating channel 427 and totally leaving the swing member 42 and the control base 30 so that the slide track 20 (locker) is driven onward until a completely stretchable status. In a reverse movement, the slide track 20 of the locker moving in a reverse direction allows the push rod 22 to pass the actuating channel 427 of the swing member 42, enter the second actuating groove 426, and continuously drive the actuating part 428 so that the swing member 42 separates itself from deflection and the clasper 423 of the swing member 42 is not withheld by the slot 345; the slide/swing unit 40 completes automatic homing under a pull of the flexible member 50 and the slide member 41 finally arrives and stops at the baffle 342 to finish an automatic homing operation with the locker pushed backward.

Referring to FIG. 6 which illustrates a troubleshooting procedure for the present invention. The push rod 22 of the slide track 20 suffering from vibration, collision, or error in operation during opening or closing a locker might immediately deflect from the actuating channel 427 and allows the slide/swing unit 40 pulled by the flexible member 50 to move back in a very short time. In this context, the fact that the push rod 22 which keeps at the front end of the non-deflected swing member 42 neither enters the actuating channel 427 nor continues controlling the swing member 42 (slide/swing unit 40) is considered as failure of automatic homing. Accordingly, the locker should be pushed in order to make the push rod 22 along the slanted guide plane 422a force the swing member 42. With simple steps to complete troubleshooting, this mechanism to press and sink the swing member 42 based on the through window 343 allows the push rod 22 to enter the actuating channel 427 until the second actuating groove 426 and resume the push rod 22 in a proper position. In addition, the stopper 344 at the front end of the through window 343 can resume a proper position and status of the sunken swing member 42 by thrusting the swing member 42.

According to previous descriptions, the present invention of an automatic homing slide track device features a compact overall structure for correct stable operations, components simply and quickly assembled or disassembled, reduced manufacture, assembly and maintenance costs, and positive economic benefits. Furthermore, the simple operation steps prevent the present invention from accident-induced troubles or inconvenience of follow-up usage and maintenance. The present invention with the above structure is applicable to a special cabinet such as refrigerator crisper, minimizes drawbacks like frosting and accumulated dust, and promotes quality of one refrigerator.

It can be seen from the above descriptions that the present invention significantly meets patentability and is applied for the patent. However, the above descriptions present preferred embodiments only which do not limit the scope of the present invention; any equivalent change or improvement based on shapes, structures, features and spirit mentioned in the present invention should be incorporated in claims.

Claims

1. An automatic homing slide track device comprising:

A bottom track with a bottom track space;

A slide track moving in said bottom track space of said bottom track and comprising a push rod protruding from one side of said slide track;

A control base fixed on said bottom track and comprising a spring groove at the rear part and an actuating slide way at the front part on which there is a slot defined at the front end;

A slide/swing unit installed in an actuating slide way of said control base and comprising a slide member and a swing member joining each other and sliding synchronously wherein said swing member is installed at the front end of said slide member and provided with (a) a clasper at the front part and (b) an actuating part at the rear part on which there is at least a second actuating groove at the front part;

A flexible member installed in said spring groove of said control base and allowing its front and read ends to be fixed on said slide member's and said spring groove's rear ends, respectively;

In the abovementioned structure, said push rod enters said second actuating groove of said swing member to slide and deflect said swing member so that said deflected swing member makes said clasper withheld in said slot.

2. The automatic homing slide track device according to claim 1 wherein said control base comprises a main base plate and said spring groove is one groove enclosed by said main base plate and two lateral end sheets of said main base plate and is provided with a fastening part fixing said flexible member at the rear end.

3. The automatic homing slide track device according to claim 2 wherein said actuating slide way is a double U-shaped groove enclosed by said main base plate, said two end sheets and an extender.

4. The automatic homing slide track device according to claim 1 wherein said actuating slide way is provided with a baffle at the rear end as a fallback of said slide/swing unit during a reverse movement.

5. The automatic homing slide track device according to claim 2 wherein said main base plate is provided with a through window which is opposite to said actuating slide way.

6. The automatic homing slide track device according to claim 5 wherein said through window's front end extends backward to develop a stopper.

7. The automatic homing slide track device according to claim 1 wherein said slide member is provided with a positioning part at the rear end which is used to fix said flexible member.

8. The automatic homing slide track device according to claim 1 wherein said swing member has an end part at the front part which is used to develop said clasper and a slanted guide plane, front low and back high.

9. The automatic homing slide track device according to claim 1 wherein said swing member has a separator, which is located at the front end of said second actuating groove and further comprises a first actuating groove at the front part, and an actuating channel among said second actuating groove, said first actuating groove and said separator.

10. The automatic homing slide track device according to claim 9 wherein said actuating channel has an offset design in a movement path at which said slide member joins said swing member.