Rack-Mounted Supporting Device with Self-Releasing Elastic Lock

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing supporting devices for racks require manual effort to overcome elastic forces for detachment, making them inconvenient for users.

Innovation Solution

A supporting device with an elastic member that transitions between locking and non-locking states based on applied force, allowing easy attachment and detachment by changing the position of mounting portions relative to the rack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If latch arms or fastening members are locked to the rack by elastic force, then the supporting device is securely fixed to the rack, but manual effort is required to overcome the elastic force for detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixationVSAvoiddetachment effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member automatically locks the mounting portion to the rack by elastic force without requiring additional fastening operations. For detachment, the user simply needs to pull the supporting device away from the rack, and the elastic member automatically releases from the locking position, making the system self-servicing and easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member transitions between a locked state (when the supporting device is attached) and an unlocked state (when detached) based on the applied force. This dynamic behavior allows the same elastic component to provide both secure fixation during operation and easy release during detachment, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If the elastic member maintains continuous locking force, then the supporting device remains firmly attached, but the user must exert additional force to release it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking forceVSAvoidrelease effort
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member is pre-configured to automatically reduce its locking force when the supporting device is pulled away from the rack. The geometry of the elastic member and mounting portion is designed such that detachment motion automatically triggers the release mechanism, eliminating the need for the user to overcome the full elastic force for release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the mounting portion is fixed in position, then the supporting device is stable on the rack, but it cannot be easily detached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoiddetachment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting portion is designed to be dynamically positionable between a locked position (when attached to the rack) and an unlocked position (when detached). The elastic member enables this dynamic transition, providing stability during operation while allowing easy detachment when force is applied.

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

Facilitates easy and convenient mounting and detachment of the supporting device to and from a rack, enhancing user experience by reducing manual effort.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic member (34) is changed from a non-locking state to a locking state, thereby mounting the second mounting portion (35) at a second predetermined position (L2) on the rack to prevent the first mounting portions (32) from moving away from their respective first predetermined positions (L1) on the rack

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4125311B1Supporting device
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP4125311B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4125311B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4125311B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A supporting device (22) is adapted to be mounted on a rack and includes a longitudinal portion (30), a first mounting portion (32), and an elastic member (34). The first mounting portion (32) and the elastic member (34) are both provided on the longitudinal portion (30). The elastic member (34) is configured to be in one of a locking state (X2) and a non-locking state (X1). The elastic member (34) is provided with a second mounting portion (35). When the first mounting portion (32) is mounted on the rack and the elastic member (34) is in the non-locking state (X1), the second mounting portion (35) is not mounted on the rack. When the first mounting portion (32) is mounted on the rack and the elastic member (34) is in the locking state (X2), the second mounting portion (35) is mounted on the rack.