Slide Assembly Buffering Member for Drawer Impact and Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional slide assemblies lack a proper buffering function between the movable rail, restriction member, support base, and fixed rail, resulting in non-smooth operation and noise generation when the drawer is extended.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a buffering member between the side portion of the support base and the stop of the first rail, which compresses to reduce impact force and noise during the extension of the rails, utilizing a spring or block with a boss and recess configuration to absorb shocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the movable rail, restriction member, support base and fixed rail are connected without a buffering member, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but impact force and noise are generated when the drawer is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact force and noiseVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A buffering member is introduced as an intermediary element between the support base and the fixed rail. This buffering member absorbs impact forces and reduces noise during drawer extension, while maintaining relative simplicity through its integration into existing components such as the support base or fixed rail structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffering member is pre-installed in the slide assembly structure to provide cushioning before impact occurs. By positioning the buffering member in advance between the movable and fixed components, impact forces are absorbed during normal operation, preventing direct contact and reducing noise generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the rails are connected without proper buffering function, then the device complexity is low, but the operation of the drawer is not smooth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrawer operation smoothnessVSAvoidbuffering structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffering function is merged with existing components of the slide assembly, such as integrating the buffering member into the support base or fixed rail structure. This combination approach provides smooth drawer operation while avoiding the need for separate, complex buffering mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 buffering member effectively reduces impact force and noise by compressing when the support base approaches the stop, ensuring a smoother and quieter operation of the slide assembly.

Implementation Method 1

When the side portion of the support base is close to the stop of the first rail, the buffering member is compressed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

A buffering member is located between the side potion and the stop of the first rail. When the side portion of the support base is close to the stop of the first rail, the buffering member is compressed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2478795B1Slide assembly with buffering member for reducing impact and noise
Publication Date: 2014.12.17 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP2478795B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2478795B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2478795B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A slide assembly includes a first rail (10), a second rail (12) movable connected to the first rail (10), a restriction member (38) on the second rail (12), and a support base (16) movably connected to an open end (26) of the first rail (10). The second rail (12) is pulled from the open end (26). The first rail (10) includes an installation hole (30) and a stop (28) at the open end (26). The support base (16) includes a buffering member (58) contacting the stop (28) of the first rail (10). When the second rail (12) is completely pulled from the first rail (10), the restriction member (38) contacts the support base (16) which is moved and compresses the buffering member (58) to reduce the impact force and the noise.