Movable Rack Slide Device with Noise-Reducing Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slide devices for movable racks in appliances like dishwashers and ovens are cumbersome to manufacture, costly, and generate operational noise due to the inertia of parts and impact during the unlocking process when the movable rack is pulled out and pushed back in.
Innovation Solution
A slide device with a locking unit featuring a pivotable locking member, a spring for elastic support, and a contact cap made of low-friction materials like Teflon resin to reduce noise and improve handling by minimizing the impact between the movable rack and locking member during the unlocking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional slide device with multiple bars and rails is used, then the movable rack can be supported, but the device becomes cumbersome to manufacture and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the supporting bar and securing bar into a single integrated locking member that performs both support and securing functions. The locking member includes a locking protrusion that engages with the rail to prevent movement, eliminating the need for separate supporting and securing components while maintaining structural reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member serves multiple functions: it supports the movable rack, secures it in position through the locking protrusion, and enables smooth movement through the curved surface interaction with the rail. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components needed in the slide device.
2Productivity
If the movable rack is pulled out quickly, then productivity improves, but operational noise increases due to inertia and impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a curved surface on the locking member that gradually interacts with the rail during movement. This curved geometry acts as a cushioning mechanism that distributes the impact forces over a longer period, reducing sudden impacts and associated noise while allowing rapid operation. The spring component also provides elastic cushioning to absorb shocks during the unlocking and locking processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring component acts as an intermediary element between the locking member and the movable rack, absorbing impact forces and reducing noise during rapid operations. The spring provides elastic deformation that cushions sudden movements and reduces the transmission of impact forces to the rack structure.
3Reliability
If the locking member is made rigid for secure locking, then reliability improves, but impact noise increases during unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The spring component is positioned to provide elastic cushioning during the locking and unlocking processes. When the locking member engages or disengages from the rail, the spring absorbs impact forces through elastic deformation, reducing noise while maintaining secure locking. This allows the locking member to remain rigid for security while the spring mitigates impact noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring serves as an intermediary that decouples the rigid locking member from direct impact transmission. During locking and unlocking, the spring absorbs and dampens impact forces, allowing the locking member to maintain its rigid structure for secure engagement while preventing noise transmission to the rack and surrounding structures.
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 reduces operational noise and enhances marketability by ensuring smooth operation and easier handling, thereby improving productivity and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring positioned between the locking member and the mounting rack, to elastically support the locking member
Implementation Method 2
a contact cap made of low-friction materials like Teflon resin to reduce noise and improve handling by minimizing the impact between the movable rack and locking member
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a slide device for a movable rack including: a mounting rack to be removably positioned at anyone of a plurality of mounting rail grooves formed in a storage space of a machine body and to support a movable to be pulled/pushed in both a forward/backward direction; a movable rack to be pulled/pushed in the forward/backward direction by a sliding motion on the mounting rack, to load/unload articles; a locking unit positioned in the rear inside the mounting rack, to fix the mounting rack to prevent the mounting rack from moving when the movable rack is pulled out from the mounting rack, wherein the locking unit includes: a locking member including a front to be connected to the mounting rack by a hinge and to pivot upwardly, a rear lower end with a locking groove and a middle lower part with an inclined operation piece; and a spring positioned between the locking member and the mounting rack, to elastically support the locking member; and a contact cap to receive the inclined operation piece of the locking member, to reduce in use any operation noise generated when the movable rack hits the locking member when the movable rack is pushed into the mounting rack.