Nested Slide Rail Assembly to Reduce Drawer Height and Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide rail assemblies in furniture drawers occupy too much space due to the height of roller-type slide rails, limiting storage capacity and causing instability, noise, and rough operation.
Innovation Solution
A slide rail assembly comprising a top rail, a middle rail, and a bottom rail with a unique configuration of bending portions, brackets, and serrated edges, along with rolling elements and a gear mechanism, which reduces the overall height and enhances stability, quietness, and smoothness by allowing the rails to slide relative to each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If roller-type slide rails are used to ensure smooth sliding, then sliding smoothness is improved, but the height of the drawer is increased and installation space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The middle rail is nested within the top rail and bottom rail through a multi-level configuration. The middle rail comprises a first bending portion inserted into a first cavity of the top rail, a second bending portion inserted into a second cavity of the bottom rail, and a connection portion linking them. This nesting structure allows the slide rail assembly to occupy minimal vertical space while maintaining smooth sliding functionality through rolling elements.
2Ease of operation
If the drawer is raised to accommodate rollers, then sliding function is achieved, but the drawer size is reduced and storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a traditional vertical stacking arrangement to a multi-dimensional spatial configuration. The slide rail assembly utilizes horizontal cavities within the top and bottom rails, with the middle rail extending horizontally between them. This dimensional reorganization reduces vertical height requirements while preserving sliding functionality, thereby maximizing drawer storage capacity.
3Ease of operation
If traditional slide rail configuration is used, then drawer movement is enabled, but stability and noise control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The slide rail assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: top rail with first cavity, bottom rail with second cavity, and middle rail with bending portions and connection portions. Each segment performs a specific function - the top and bottom rails provide structural support and guidance, while the middle rail enables controlled movement. This segmentation allows for optimized stress distribution and reduced operational noise through precise geometric design of each component.
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 increases storage capacity by reducing the space occupied under the drawer, provides a stable, quiet, and smooth operation, and extends the service life of the slide rail assembly by evenly distributing stress and improving reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first rolling element in contact with the first bending portion and the top rail is provided; a second rolling element in contact with the second bending portion and the bottom rail is provided
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the technical field of furniture and discloses a slide rail assembly which comprises a top rail, a middle rail and a bottom rail. The top rail and the middle rail slide relative to each other through a first rolling element, and the middle rail and the bottom rail slide relative to each other through a second rolling element, so that the slide rail assembly can meet the requirements of drawing out and pushing in a drawer. A first bending portion of the middle rail is inserted into a first cavity of the top rail and a second bending portion is inserted into a second cavity of the bottom rail, so that a height of the entire slide rail assembly is reduced, which reduces a space under the drawer occupied by the slide rail assembly, allowing more items stored in the drawer. A gear is provided between a first serrated edge of a first bracket and a second serrated edge of a second bracket and meshes with the first and second serrated edges, so that the top rail, the middle rail and the bottom rail can be linked, allowing more stable, quieter and smoother operation of the slide rail assembly. The present invention also discloses a cabinet adopting the slide rail assembly, which has advantages of large storage capacity, low noise, good quality and the like.