Injection-Molded Sliding Guide for Telescopic Table Frame Components
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing sliding guides for telescoping table frame components often require pre-manufactured sliding elements that need to be individually stored and installed, which is costly and inefficient, and struggle to introduce a lubricious agent between nested tubes without damaging the surface.
Innovation Solution
A method involving direct injection molding of sliding elements between nested tubes, where the inner or outer tube is positioned within a device, allowing the plastic to adhere only to one surface, and using UV curing for active hardening, enabling the production of sliding guides with any thickness and tolerance compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pre-manufactured sliding elements are individually stored and installed, then installation precision is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sliding element manufacturing and installation processes into a single injection molding operation. The injection mold directly forms sliding elements within the telescopic tube assembly, eliminating separate manufacturing, storage, and installation steps. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining precision through the mold's inherent accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection molding process is self-positioning within the telescopic tube structure. The mold automatically aligns with the tube geometry, and the plastic material self-adheres to the correct surfaces during injection. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external positioning equipment while ensuring precise placement.
2Productivity
If sliding elements are injection molded between nested tubes, then productivity is improved, but risk of surface damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carefully controlled plastic material as an intermediary that flows between the nested tubes during injection. The material properties and injection parameters are optimized to ensure the plastic adheres only to intended surfaces (inner or outer tube) without damaging the tube surfaces. The mold design controls the flow path to prevent harmful contact with sensitive surfaces.
3Manufacturing precision
If plastic is injected to adhere to one surface only, then manufacturing precision is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The injection mold is designed with selective adhesion zones where the plastic material is intended to bond. The mold geometry, surface treatment, and injection parameters are locally optimized for different regions - some areas promote adhesion while others prevent it. This local quality control ensures precise adhesion to the correct surface without requiring complex overall system changes.
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 method reduces production costs by allowing for easy manufacturing of sliding elements with varying thickness and tolerance compensation, while introducing a lubricious agent without surface damage, enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of telescoping table frame components.
Implementation Method 1
The plastic is advantageously actively cured. For example, UV light can be used for this purpose.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a telescopic table frame part, in particular a height-adjustable table leg (26), comprising an outer tube (12) and an inner tube (10) which can be moved with respect to the outer tube and which is guided by the sliding guide, characterised in that the sliding guide comprises at least one injection-moulded guiding element (24) made from a slide-promoting plastic. The invention also relates to a method for producing a sliding guide for guiding an inner tube (10) in an outer tube (12), which can be moved with respect to the inner tube, of a telescopic table frame component consisting of placing at least one sliding element (24) made from a slide-promoting plastic to the inner surface (23) of the outer tube (12) or to the outer surface (25) of the inner tube (10) by injection moulding. Said plastic is introduced into the inside of the inner tube through an injection molding tool access opening (16) in said inner tube. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.