Adjustment mechanism for slide rail

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustment mechanisms for furniture slide rail assemblies lack the ability to efficiently perform both longitudinal and transverse adjustments, limiting their versatility in compensating for mounting errors and ensuring precise alignment.

Innovation Solution

The proposed adjustment mechanism includes a first adjustment device with a first component, a second component, a first adjusting element, and a first structure, featuring screw threads for longitudinal adjustment, and a second adjustment device with a third component, a second adjusting element, and a second structure, utilizing guiding features for transverse adjustment, allowing for precise displacement in multiple directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a traditional slide rail assembly is used without adjustment mechanisms, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the alignment precision and ability to compensate for mounting errors is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is divided into separate adjustment devices for longitudinal and transverse directions, each with independent components (adjusting elements, structures, features). This segmentation allows precise adjustment in each direction while maintaining modular construction that balances complexity and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism allows for preliminary adjustment of the second component relative to the first component before final assembly or operation. The adjusting elements can be operated in advance to achieve proper alignment, compensating for mounting errors before the drawer is installed or used.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single-direction adjustment mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but the versatility in compensating for mounting errors is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment versatilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism incorporates both a first adjustment device for longitudinal adjustment and a second adjustment device for transverse adjustment, making it universally applicable to multiple adjustment needs. This multi-functional design enables the mechanism to compensate for various types of mounting errors in different directions, enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If adjustment mechanisms with multiple features are used, then the measurement and adjustment precision is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment precisionVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-aligning through corresponding features between the first and second components. When the adjusting elements are operated, the corresponding features automatically guide the alignment process, reducing the need for complex manual positioning and making the operation simpler while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables precise longitudinal and transverse adjustments of furniture parts with respect to each other, effectively compensating for mounting errors and ensuring accurate alignment, thereby enhancing the usability and stability of furniture slide rail assemblies.

Implementation Method 1

The first adjusting element and the first structure include a first feature and a second feature respectively, and the first and the second features are screw threads that are threadedly engaged with each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew thread mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3603450B1Adjustment mechanism for slide rail
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP3603450B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3603450B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3603450B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An adjustment mechanism (34) includes a first component (42), a second component (44), an adjusting element (46), and a structure (48). The adjusting element (46) is arranged on the first component (42). The structure (48) is arranged on the second component (44). The adjusting element (46) and the structure (48) include a first feature (56) and a second feature (58) respectively, wherein the first and the second features (56, 58) correspond to each other. When the adjusting element (46) is operated, the first feature (56) and the second feature (58) work with each other to longitudinally displace, and thereby adjust, the second component (44) and the first component (42) with respect to each other.