Linear Slide Bearing With Integrated Snap-On Carriage Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plain bearings in vehicle construction, particularly in commercial vehicles, inadequately facilitate the removable fixation of work devices to carriages in a space-saving and easy-to-use manner, requiring bulky fastening devices for reliable guidance and attachment.

Innovation Solution

A plain bearing design with a rail and carriage featuring two guide sections spaced in a transverse direction, allowing the carriage to be displaced longitudinally with minimal friction, utilizing guide receptacles and an actuating arm for easy attachment and detachment perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, ensuring reliable fixation and easy removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fastening devices are used to attach work devices to the carriage, then reliable fixation is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable fixationVSAvoidfastening device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating arm is integrated into the carriage body, combining the fastening function with the existing carriage structure. This eliminates the need for separate bulky fastening devices while maintaining reliable fixation through the guide section-guide receptacle engagement mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating arm serves multiple functions: it acts as both a fastening mechanism and a release mechanism. By displacing the actuating arm, the guide receptacle opens to allow removal of the guide section, providing both attachment and detachment capabilities through a single integrated component

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional fastening devices are used to attach work devices to the carriage, then reliable fixation is achieved, but the space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliable fixationVSAvoidcarriage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening function is merged into the carriage body through the actuating arm mechanism, eliminating the need for additional external fastening devices. This integration significantly reduces the space required while maintaining reliable fixation through the guide section-guide receptacle engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the carriage is designed for easy removal from the rail, then ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of fixation during operation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachment and detachmentVSAvoidfixation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide receptacle is designed to be dynamically controllable through the actuating arm. In the normal state, the guide receptacle securely holds the guide section for reliable operation. When the actuating arm is displaced, the guide receptacle opens to allow easy removal. This dynamic design provides both secure fixation during operation and ease of removal when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables easy and reliable attachment and detachment of work devices to the carriage, eliminating the need for bulky fastening devices while maintaining stable longitudinal displacement, thus enhancing usability and efficiency in vehicle installations.

Implementation Method 1

the carriage is held in a fixed position relative to the rail in any direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, but can be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the rail

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4409149B1Linear slide bearing with snap-on slide
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 IGUS SE & CO KG
  • EP4409149B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP4409149B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP4409149B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

The invention relates to a sliding bearing (1) comprising a rail (2) and a carriage (3), wherein the rail (2) has two guide sections (21, 22) that are elongated in a longitudinal direction (X) and run next to one another, wherein the carriage (3) has a respective associated guide recess (31, 32) for each guide section (21, 22), wherein, in an operating state, each of the guide sections (21, 22) is arranged in its associated guide recess (31, 32) and is encompassed by same perpendicular the longitudinal direction (X), thus securing the carriage (3) relative to the rail (2) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) and ensuring that the carriage (3) can move longitudinally relative to the rail (2). The carriage has a carriage body and an actuation arm (5), together forming a first of the guide recesses (31, 32), wherein the actuation arm (5) is fixed to the carriage body such that it can be moveably guided relative to same perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) in order to allow the first guide recess (31, 32) to be opened by shifting the actuation arm (5) in order to remove the associated first guide section (21, 22) from the first guide recess (31, 32) along a removal direction running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X).