Server Rack Slide Rail Latch for Safe Installation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional slide rail systems for server racks pose a safety hazard during installation due to unintended movement of the second rail module relative to the first rail module, potentially causing accidents.

Innovation Solution

A slide rail system with a first rail module and a second rail module, featuring a latch member and unlatch member to restrict and allow controlled movement of the second rail module relative to the first, ensuring safety during installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the second rail module is movably disposed on the first rail module without restriction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety hazard increases due to unintended movement during installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovability of second rail moduleVSAvoidsafety hazard during installation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The latch member is pre-configured to engage with the lock hole before the installation process begins, establishing a restricted state that prevents unintended movement. The operator must deliberately activate the unlatch member to enable movement, ensuring safety is established before operation commences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static restricted state (latch engaged) to a dynamic movable state (latch disengaged) through the operation of the unlatch member. This dynamic control allows the rail module to be fixed during installation but movable during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between safety and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the latch member is added to restrict movement of the second support plate, then the safety during installation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during installationVSAvoidstructure with latch and unlatch members

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latch member is designed to automatically engage with the lock hole through its own elastic deformation when the second support plate is positioned on the first support plate. The elastic member (spring) provides self-latching functionality without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms, thereby enhancing safety while minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member acts as an intermediary between the latch member and the locking mechanism, providing the necessary force for engagement and disengagement. This simple elastic element mediates the interaction between the movable second support plate and the fixed first support plate, enabling safe operation without complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the unlatch member is designed to require deliberate operation, then the safety is improved by preventing accidental movement, but the ease of operation during normal use may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of accidental movementVSAvoidoperation during normal use

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The unlatch member creates a deliberate transition from static (latched) to dynamic (unlatched) state. During normal operation, the system remains in the static latched state for safety, and movement is enabled only when the operator deliberately acts on the unlatch member, ensuring that accidental movements are prevented while maintaining ease of controlled operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The unlatch function is extracted as a separate, distinct component from the latch member itself. This separation allows the unlatching action to be deliberately triggered only when needed, preventing accidental disengagement while maintaining the simplicity of the overall mechanism. The unlatch member serves as a dedicated control element that isolates the safety-critical latching function from normal operational movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20260096046A1Slide rail system for a server rack

Publication Date: 2026.04.02 FIRST DOME

AI summary

A slide rail system includes a first rail module and a second rail module. The first rail module includes a first support plate having a lock hole, and a first rail device disposed on the first support plate. The second rail module includes a second support plate movably disposed on the first support plate, a second rail device disposed on the second support plate, a latch member movably disposed on the second support plate and insertable into the lock hole to restrict movement of the second support plate relative to the first support plate, and an unlatch member operable to disengage the latch member from the lock hole so as to allow the movement of the second support plate relative to the first support plate.