Multi-Section Slide Assembly With Intermediate Slide Positioning Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-section slide assemblies lack a positioning device for the intermediate slide, leading to unintended sliding directions and potential finger pinching or trapping issues.
Innovation Solution
A multi-section slide assembly with an outer slide, intermediate slide, inner slide, positioning member, and actuating member, where the positioning member includes positioning tabs that extend through slits and interact with a locking tab, and the actuating member has arms that tilt to lift the positioning tab for disengagement, ensuring controlled sliding directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the intermediate slide is allowed to move freely in the outer slide, then the drawer can be pulled outward and pushed inward freely, but the intermediate slide may inadvertently slide along an undesired direction and pinch or trap a user's finger
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member is pre-configured with positioning tabs that extend through slits in the intermediate slide and abut against the locking tab on the outer slide. This preliminary positioning structure is established before operation, preventing unintended sliding directions while maintaining authorized movement. The actuating member is also pre-positioned to control the positioning tabs, ensuring safety mechanisms are in place before the drawer is operated.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning member acts as an intermediary between the intermediate slide and the outer slide, introducing a controlled interface that mediates the movement. The positioning tabs extend through slits and abut against the locking tab, creating an intermediate control layer that prevents harmful unintended sliding while allowing authorized movement when properly actuated.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a positioning device is added to the intermediate slide, then finger pinching or trapping is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device is segmented into distinct functional components: the positioning member with positioning tabs, the actuating member with arms, and the locking tab. Each component has a specific function, and they work together through simple geometric interactions (tabs extending through slits, arms tilting to lift tabs). This segmentation allows the complex safety function to be achieved through simple, modular elements rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex locking mechanism that requires active engagement to prevent movement, the invention uses a positioning structure that passively constrains the intermediate slide through tabs that naturally abut against the locking tab. The default state provides positioning and safety, and movement is enabled by simply tilting the actuating member to lift the positioning tabs, inverting the traditional approach where locking requires active engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-section slide assembly includes an outer slide, an intermediate slide, an inner slide, a positioning member, and an actuating member. The outer slide forms a locking tab. The intermediate slide is received in the outer slide. The intermediate slide defines two receiving slots and at least one slit. The positioning member is mounted to the intermediate slide, and includes at least one positioning tab extending downward therefrom. The positioning tab extends through the slit and abuts against the locking tab. The actuating member is mounted between the intermediate member and the positioning member. The actuating member forms two arms. Two arrises protrude downward from the arms of the actuating member and extend through the corresponding receiving slots of the intermediate slide. The inner slide is received in the intermediate slide. The inner slide is capable of being slid in to depress the arms of the actuating member to tilt the actuating member, whereby the positioning tab is lifted up to disengage from the locking tab.