Bracket-Slide Assembly With Reinforced Rail for Narrow Load Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bracket-slide assemblies, particularly when the outer member and bracket are narrower, suffer from weak connections that cannot effectively bear loads due to deformation under pressure, as seen in prior art documents like U.S. Patent No. 6,726,164 and U.S. Patent No. 6,854,816.
Innovation Solution
A reinforced bracket-slide assembly design featuring a bracket with a top, bottom, and side portion defining a longitudinal path, including a support member with first and second connection portions that engage with protrusions on a rail's reinforcement path, enhancing the structural integrity and anti-bent ability regardless of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the outer member and bracket are made narrower, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the connection strength between bracket and rail deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a reinforcement path extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail, transforming the connection from a simple point contact to a distributed linear engagement. The reinforcement path with protrusions creates multiple contact points along the length of the rail, effectively adding a dimensional aspect to the connection that strengthens it without increasing the cross-sectional dimensions of the bracket or outer member.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement path is divided into multiple segments with protrusions at different locations along the longitudinal direction. These segmented protrusions engage with corresponding features on the bracket, distributing the load across multiple discrete contact points rather than a single continuous surface, which strengthens the connection while maintaining a narrow profile.
2Ease of operation
If the bracket and outer member are made narrower, then the ease of operation is improved, but the load-bearing capacity deteriorates due to flange deformation under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement path extends along the longitudinal dimension of the rail, providing load distribution in the direction of motion rather than relying solely on the cross-sectional dimensions. This allows the bracket to maintain a narrow profile for ease of operation while the extended reinforcement path provides the necessary load-bearing capacity through distributed engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement path and protrusions are pre-configured on the rail before the bracket is assembled. This preliminary structuring of the reinforcement features ensures that when the bracket is installed, the load-bearing capacity is already optimized without requiring additional components or complex bracket design, maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the connection between bracket and rail is simplified, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of the connection deteriorates under load
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement path extends in the longitudinal direction, adding a dimensional aspect to the connection that improves reliability without complicating the manufacturing process. The protrusions can be formed as integral features of the rail or outer member through standard forming operations, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enhancing connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement path and protrusions are integrated into the existing rail or outer member structure rather than being separate components. This merging of the reinforcement features with the base structure maintains ease of manufacture while significantly improving connection reliability under load.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A combination of bracket and slide assembly includes a bracket (10) and a rail (12). The bracket (10) has a top portion (14a), a bottom portion (14b), a side portion (16) connected to the top and bottom portions (14a, 14b), and a support member (18) fixedly to the side portion (16). The top portion (14a), the bottom portion (14b) and the side portion (16) define a longitudinal path (20). The support member (18) is located in the longitudinal path (20). The rail (12) extends through the longitudinal path (20) of the bracket (10) and has a top wall (30a), a bottom wall (30b), and a sidewall (32) connected to the top and the bottom walls (30a, 30b). The sidewall (32) has a reinforcement path (36) with a recessed surface (34), and the reinforcement path (36) is located corresponding to the bracket (10). A first protrusion (38) and a second protrusion (40) are located on the top and the bottom of the reinforcement path (36). The support member (18) is slidably connected to the reinforcement path (36) and located corresponding to the first and second protrusions (38, 40).