Quick-Mount Slide Rail Assembly With Ball Bearing Retainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide assemblies with quick-mount systems face significant friction issues due to the lack of bearings between slides, making them difficult to operate, and require costly re-arrangement of ball bearing retainers for different server sizes, leading to uneven support and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A slide assembly with an outer rail, intermediate rail, and inner rail, featuring inner ball bearings and a ball bearing retainer with spaced retaining sections, allowing for smooth sliding and adaptable mounting without re-arranging the retainer, enabling even support and easy installation of members with varying sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ball bearing retainers are re-arranged for different server sizes, then adaptability to different server sizes is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ball bearing retainer is designed with a fixed configuration that can accommodate multiple server sizes through the use of multiple slots (first slot, second slot, third slot) at different positions. The same retainer structure serves universal mounting purposes for servers of varying dimensions without requiring re-arrangement or reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer is divided into multiple functional sections with separate slots positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows different mounts of servers to be engaged with different slots simultaneously, enabling the same retainer to adapt to different server sizes without changing the overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If friction between slides is reduced by adding bearings, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Ball bearings are introduced as intermediary elements between the slides to reduce direct metal-to-metal contact and friction. The bearings act as mediators that facilitate smooth movement while maintaining a relatively simple overall slide assembly structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ball bearing retainer length is increased to support larger servers, then adaptability is improved, but support evenness deteriorates due to uneven support forces
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is segmented into multiple support points with slots distributed at different positions along its length. This segmentation allows the retainer to provide distributed support forces rather than concentrated forces, maintaining support evenness while accommodating different server sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the retainer are designed with specific slots positioned at optimal locations to provide localized support where needed. This allows the retainer to adapt to different server configurations while maintaining even support forces through strategically placed support points.
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 friction and allows for easy installation and smooth movement of members, maintaining even support across different sizes, reducing manufacturing costs and operational effort.
Implementation Method 1
At least one inner ball bearing set is located between the outer rail and the intermediate rail
Implementation Method 2
The upper member has a plurality of spaced upper retaining sections located along the length direction of the ball bearing retainer. Each of the upper retaining sections at least has an upper ball bearing. The bottom member has a length corresponding to that of the upper member and has a plurality of spaced bottom retaining sections
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A slide assembly with quick-mount system includes an outer rail (10), an intermediate rail (12), an inner rail (14) and a ball bearing retainer (18). The intermediate rail (12) has a notch (28). The inner rail (14) has a first slot (36a) and a second slot (36b) to accommodate first and second mounts (54a, 54b) of an installed member (52). The ball bearing retainer (18) has an upper member (38) and a bottom member (40). The upper and bottom members (38, 40) each have retaining sections (44). Each retaining section (44) has a ball bearing (46). The distance between adjacent retaining sections (44) is larger than the diameter of the first mount (54a). When the inner rail (14) is pulled out relative to the intermediate rail (12), the first slot (36a) is located corresponding to the notch (28) and between any two of the retaining sections (44), the first mount (54a) extends through the notch (28) and enters into the first slot (36a) to be positioned. The second mount (54b) is engaged with the second slot (36b) of the inner rail (14).