Detachable Ball-Retainer Slide Rail for Smooth Maintenance Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide rail systems for image forming apparatuses and furniture drawers lack efficient mechanisms for easy detachment and reinsertion, particularly during maintenance, leading to difficulties in smooth operation and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A slide rail system incorporating multiple ball retainers with ball bearings that allow the moving rail to slide relative to the fixed rail, featuring a guide retainer and restriction members to control the sliding range, enabling easy insertion and withdrawal of drawer members like sheet feed cassettes and duplex printing units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed rail with a C-shaped cross section and a moving rail with ball bearings is used, then smooth sliding operation is achieved, but detachment and reinsertion during maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The slide rail is divided into a fixed rail and a moving rail as separate detachable components. The moving rail can be completely separated from the fixed rail by pulling it forward, allowing easy maintenance access while maintaining smooth sliding operation when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The moving rail is extracted from the fixed rail structure by pulling it forward to disengage from the ball retainers. This extraction mechanism enables easy removal of the moving rail for maintenance while preserving the smooth sliding function when reinserted
2Ease of repair
If the moving rail is made detachable by pulling frontward, then ease of maintenance is improved, but unstable engagement with ball bearings may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Ball bearings with spherical geometry are used at the contact points between the moving rail and fixed rail. The spherical shape of the balls provides stable engagement through point contact, allowing the moving rail to be reliably held during operation while still enabling detachment when pulled forward
Solution Approach 2:
Ball retainers act as intermediary components that hold the ball bearings in position. The retainers mediate between the moving rail and fixed rail, providing stable engagement through the ball bearings while allowing controlled detachment when the moving rail is pulled forward
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple ball retainers are arranged along the fixed rail, then sliding stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented into multiple discrete ball retainers distributed along the fixed rail. Each retainer independently supports the moving rail at specific intervals, providing stable sliding through distributed point contacts while keeping each individual component simple
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system facilitates smooth and easy insertion and withdrawal of drawer members, reducing friction and ensuring stable guidance, thus enhancing maintenance accessibility and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a structure has been known which is provided with a fixed rail having a substantially C-shaped cross section fixed at an equipment main body of an image forming apparatus and a moving rail having a substantially C-shaped cross section slidably held by the fixed rail through a ball retainer that includes ball bearings
Data Source
AI summary
A slide rail includes a plurality of ball retainers, a fixed rail, and a moving rail. The moving rail is capable of being inserted into and drawn out from the fixed rail by being pulled frontward of the fixed rail to be taken out from the plurality of ball retainers or by being inserted into the plurality of ball retainers from front. The plurality of ball retainers are arranged in the sliding direction along the fixed rail. The plurality of ball retainers include a guide retainer arranged on a front end part of the fixed rail. The fixed rail includes a restriction member configured to restrict sliding of the guide retainer rearward of the fixed rail.