External mounted slow-return slide rail assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional slide rail assemblies with cushioning devices face increased length and reduced sliding stroke, wear issues, and high inventory costs due to different production requirements for cushioned and uncushioned models, making repair and replacement difficult and costly.

Innovation Solution

An external mounted slow-return slide rail assembly with a cushioning device comprising a base frame, elastic member, and actuating member, where the transmission member on the sliding box drives the actuating member to move relative to the cushioning member, utilizing elastic restoring energy to smooth the sliding motion and facilitate repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cushioning device is mounted at the outer end of the outer slide rail, then the cushioning device can be activated when the inner slide rail is received in the outer slide rail, but the overall length of the slide rail assembly increases and the sliding stroke is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecushioning functionVSAvoidsliding stroke

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning device is repositioned from the outer end of the outer slide rail to the inner side of the bracket, utilizing the vertical space between the bracket substrate and the inner slide rail. This dimensional relocation allows the cushioning function to be achieved without extending the horizontal length of the assembly, thereby preserving the sliding stroke while maintaining the cushioning effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the cushioning device is mounted internally, then the slide rail assembly is compact, but the cushioning device is difficult to dismount for repair or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly compactnessVSAvoidcushioning device accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning device is segmented into modular components (cushioning member, elastic member, actuating member) that can be independently accessed and replaced. The actuating member serves as a removable interface that allows the cushioning components to be disassembled and replaced without dismantling the entire slide rail assembly, combining compactness with repairability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating member acts as an intermediary component that provides access to the cushioning device. By manipulating the actuating member, users can engage or disengage the cushioning components, enabling easy maintenance while keeping the overall assembly compact when the cushioning device is in its retracted position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different molds are prepared for cushioned and uncushioned slide rail assemblies, then production flexibility is maintained, but inventory costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction flexibilityVSAvoidinventory costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The slide rail assembly is designed with a universal bracket structure that can accommodate the cushioning device as an optional module. The same bracket substrate and mounting mechanisms serve both cushioned and uncushioned configurations, allowing a single mold to produce assemblies with or without the cushioning device, thereby reducing inventory costs while maintaining production flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This design allows for easier repair and reduced production and inventory costs by maintaining the sliding stroke while providing smooth movement, reducing wear and the need for multiple molds.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic member to deform and to produce elastic restoring energy. When sliding box is pushed back into the cabinet, the actuating member is forced by the elastic restoring energy of the elastic member to move the transmission member toward the cushioning member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic restoring energy: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10736421B2External mounted slow-return slide rail assembly

Publication Date: 2020.08.11 NAN JUEN INT CO LTD

AI summary

A external mounted slow-return slide rail assembly includes a slide rail assembly including an outer slide rail affixed to an inner wall of a cabinet of a drawer set, an inner slide rail affixed to an outer wall of a sliding box of said drawer set and a bracket fastened to the outer slide rail, a cushioning device mounted on the bracket, and a transmission member mounted on one lateral surface of the sliding box. By means of mounting the cushioning device on the bracket, the cushioning device can be easily repaired, and the inventory and production costs can be greatly reduced.