Adjustable Slide Rail Assembly for Rack Cable Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional slide rail assemblies in rack systems lack adjustability, complicating the installation and removal of cables due to limited space and complex cable configurations, making maintenance and examination of rack-type servers difficult.

Innovation Solution

A slide rail assembly with an outer and inner rail system, where the inner rail is longitudinally movable relative to the outer rail, featuring fixing and sliding portions with specific hole and slot configurations, and positioning members to securely attach and detach components, allowing adjustable length and facilitating cable management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the slide rail assembly has a fixed length, then the structure is simple and stable, but the installation and removal of cables becomes complicated due to limited space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cable installation and removalVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slide rail assembly incorporates an inner rail that can move longitudinally relative to the outer rail, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one. This allows the effective length of the slide rail assembly to be adjusted during operation, providing sufficient space for cable installation and removal while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The slide rail assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: the outer rail, the movable inner rail, fixing portions with retaining holes, and sliding portions with slots. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling the inner rail to extend for cable access while the outer rail maintains structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the inner rail is made movable relative to the outer rail, then the length is adjustable for easier cable management, but the positioning precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cable installation and removalVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Positioning members act as intermediaries between the inner rail and outer rail. These positioning members engage with positioning holes to establish precise relative positions of the inner rail with respect to the outer rail at different extended positions, ensuring accurate positioning while maintaining the ability to adjust length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changes in the positional parameter of the inner rail relative to the outer rail. By providing multiple positioning holes at different locations, the inner rail can be positioned at various precise locations along the outer rail, enabling parameter adjustment while maintaining positioning precision through the engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If fixing portions with retaining holes are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but the ease of detachment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidease of detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic attachment capability through two types of portions: fixing portions with retaining holes for secure attachment, and sliding portions with slots for easy detachment and movement. The inner rail can be selectively attached at fixing portions or moved freely through sliding portions, enabling both secure attachment and ease of detachment as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall of the inner rail is segmented into fixing portions and sliding portions. The fixing portions provide secure attachment points with retaining holes, while the sliding portions with slots allow for easy movement and detachment. This segmentation enables the system to switch between secure attachment mode and easy detachment mode by utilizing different segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2874478B1Slide rail assembly for rack system
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP2874478B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2874478B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2874478B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A slide rail assembly (12) for a rack system is installed to a chassis (16). The chassis (16) comprises a first chassis (30) and a second chassis (32). The slide rail assembly (12) comprises an outer rail (19) and an inner rail (20). The inner rail (20) is movably connected to the outer rail (19). The first chassis (30) of the chassis (16) is installed to the inner rail (20), and the second chassis (32) of the chassis (16) is movably connected to the inner rail (20). The second chassis (32) is movable relative to the first chassis (30) to adjust the total length of the chassis (16).