Drawer Slide Assembly With Resilient Positioning for Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide assemblies face limitations in accommodating assembly tolerance between cabinets and drawers, particularly when using rollers, which restrict load-bearing capacity and compatibility with soft-closing or push-open designs, and ball bearings require precise assembly to avoid operational issues due to high precision.
Innovation Solution
A slide assembly featuring a first and second rail with a positioning device having a support member with a resilient arm and dowel, allowing for compensation of installation tolerance through transverse movement, combined with ball bearing retainers for smooth sliding, and an intermediate rail for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If ball bearings are used as sliding media to bear high loads, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but assembly precision requirement increases making the system sensitive to installation tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient arm changes its structural parameter (position) in response to installation tolerance, allowing the ball bearing slide assembly to accommodate tolerance variations while maintaining high load-bearing capacity. The arm moves relative to the rail body, adjusting the effective position to compensate for assembly errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient arm provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the assembly to adapt to installation tolerance variations during operation. Instead of requiring fixed precise positioning, the system dynamically compensates for tolerance errors through the movable arm structure.
2Ease of operation
If floating member is used to accommodate assembly tolerance, then ease of assembly is improved, but reliability deteriorates when the floating member has quality flaws or breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient arm acts as an intermediary element between the rigid rail components, providing tolerance compensation through controlled movement. Unlike a floating member that can fail catastrophically, the resilient arm provides gradual, controlled adjustment while maintaining structural integrity and reliability.
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 solution enables the slide assembly to accommodate varying assembly tolerances, maintain structural integrity, and support higher loads while allowing for soft-closing designs by compensating for displacement and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient arm is fitted within an opening and supported by an inner wall of the opening... able to move a limited distance so as to compensate the displacement because of installation tolerance
Implementation Method 2
a ball bearing retainer is disposed between the first rail and the second rail. The ball bearing retainer retains a plurality of ball bearings therewith so as to facilitate sliding movement of the second rail relative to the first rail
Data Source
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AI summary
A slide assembly includes a first rail (10), a second rail (12) and at least one positioning device (14). The first rail (10) has a first elongate body (16). The second rail (12) is slidable relative to the first rail (10) and has a second elongate body (26). At least one of the first elongate body (16) and the second elongate body (26) has an opening (46). The at least one positioning device (14) has a support member (48) and a dowel (50). The support member (48) has a fixing portion (52) and a resilient arm (54) connected to the fixing portion (52). The fixing portion (52) is fixed to the at least one of the first elongate body (16) and the second elongate body (26). The dowel (50) is disposed on the resilient arm (54) and corresponds in position to the opening (46).