Rack Slide Rail Reinforcement for Adjustable Depth Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide rail assemblies with adjustable brackets face challenges in maintaining structural strength at both maximum and minimum lengths, as increasing the total length of the bracket compromises support strength, and vice versa, making it difficult to meet the requirements of different rack depths.

Innovation Solution

A slide rail assembly with a reinforcement member featuring an engaging hole, contact portion, and adjustable support parts, including first and second support plates and bent sections, which engage with the outer rail and rear supports to provide adjustable length and reinforced structural strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the total length of the bracket is increased to meet deeper rack requirements, then the adaptability to different rack depths is improved, but the structural strength is compromised because the rear support must be pulled further from the cover

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different rack depthsVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is divided into multiple segments: the cover, the rear support, and the reinforcement member with adjustable support parts. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the rear support can be pulled out for length adjustment while the reinforcement member maintains structural strength through its support plates that engage with the outer rail at different positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support parts of the reinforcement member are designed to be adjustable along the outer rail, allowing the bracket length to be dynamically changed by moving the rear support relative to the cover. The engagement holes and contact portions enable dynamic reconfiguration while maintaining structural integrity at any selected length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the rear support is pulled to its extreme position to maximize bracket length, then the adaptability to deep racks is improved, but the support strength deteriorates because the rear support must be partially inserted into the cover to maintain minimum support strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to maximum rack depthVSAvoidsupport strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement member acts as an intermediary between the outer rail and the adjustable support parts. It provides additional support through its support plates that engage with the outer rail, ensuring that even when the rear support is pulled to extreme positions for maximum length, the structural reliability is maintained by the distributed support along the rail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2764796B1Slide rail assembly and rack system
Publication Date: 2015.01.07 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP2764796B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2764796B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2764796B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A slide rail assembly used in a rack system includes a slide assembly, a front support (14), a first rear support (16a), a second rear support (16b), and a reinforcement member (18). The slide rail assembly includes an outer rail (10), an inner rail (12) and an intermediate rail (28) slidably connected between the outer and inner rails (10), (12). The front support (14) connected to the front end of the outer rail (10) and the first rear support (16a) is connected to outside of the outer rail (10). The second rear support (16b) is movably connected to the first rear support (16a). The reinforcement member (18) includes a body (48), two first support parts (50) and at least two second support parts (52). The body (48) has a slot (58) and a contact portion (60) extends from the body (48) and is inserted into the slot (58). The two first support parts (50) embrace the outer rail (10) and the at least two second support parts (52) embrace the second rear support (16b). The slide rail assembly is installed to the rack (70) by connecting the front support (14) and the second rear support (16b) to the rack (70). The reinforcement member (18) reinforces the connection between the second rear support (16b) and the outer rail (10).