Segmented Slide Rail Assembly for Dual-End Movable Rail Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide rail assemblies face difficulties in easily inserting the movable rail from both the front and rear ends, especially when the rear bracket device is extended, making it challenging to align the rail with the rear passage opening due to the increased distance between the rear end of the fixed rail and the mounting member.

Innovation Solution

A slide rail assembly design featuring a first frame, a second frame, and a third frame that can move longitudinally relative to each other, with corresponding rails on each frame allowing the movable rail to be inserted from either the first rail or the third rail, regardless of their extended or retracted state, and a second rail filling the gap between the first and third rails in the extended state to facilitate easy alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the rear bracket device is adjusted to have an extended length to accommodate a deeper rack, then the slide rail assembly can be mounted on racks with different specification depths, but the rear end of the fixed rail becomes far away from the rear mounting member, making it difficult to align and insert the movable rail from the rear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different rack depthsVSAvoidease of inserting movable rail from rear
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed rail is divided into multiple segments (first fixed rail, second fixed rail, third fixed rail) that can be relatively moved with respect to each other. This segmentation allows the rear end of the fixed rail to be positioned close to the rear mounting member even when the bracket device is extended, enabling easy alignment and insertion of the movable rail from the rear while maintaining adaptability to different rack depths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed rail segments are configured to be movable relative to each other along the longitudinal direction. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt its structure based on the required rack depth while maintaining the ability to easily insert the movable rail from either front or rear, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the first frame and third frame are positioned far apart in the extended state, then the slide rail assembly can accommodate deeper racks, but the movable rail becomes difficult to align and insert from either end

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different rack depthsVSAvoidalignment and insertion of movable rail
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed rail is segmented into multiple sections that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the system to extend to accommodate deeper racks while maintaining proper alignment features at both ends, enabling easy insertion of the movable rail regardless of the overall extension length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second fixed rail acts as an intermediary element between the first and third fixed rails. It provides structural support and maintains proper spacing and alignment, allowing the system to achieve extended configurations for deeper racks while preserving the alignment and insertion capabilities at both front and rear ends.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the fixed rail is made longer to reach both mounting members in the extended state, then the bracket device can accommodate different rack depths, but the structural strength and stability of the rail assembly may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment to different specification depthsVSAvoidstructural strength of rail assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed rail is divided into multiple segments that can be relatively moved with respect to each other. This segmentation allows the system to achieve extended configurations for different rack depths without requiring a single excessively long rail, thereby maintaining structural strength and stability through shorter, stronger individual segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable configuration of the fixed rail segments allows the system to dynamically adjust its length for different rack depths while maintaining optimal structural characteristics. The segments can be positioned to distribute loads effectively and maintain structural integrity regardless of the extended or retracted state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3979775B1Slide rail assembly
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP3979775B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3979775B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3979775B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A slide rail assembly (20) includes a first frame (22), a second frame (24), a third frame (26), a first rail (28), a second rail (30), a third rail (32) and a movable rail (36). The first frame (22), the second frame (24) and the third frame (26) are movable longitudinally relative to each other. The first rail (28), the second rail (30) and the third rail (32) are respectively mounted on the first frame (22), the second frame (24) and the third frame (26) . A corresponding passage (34) is defined by the first rail (28), the second rail (30) and the third rail (32). The movable rail (36) is able to be mounted in the passage (34) through one of the first rail (28) and the third rail (32).