Slide rail assembly and mounting method for slide rails

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide rail assemblies face difficulties in aligning and mounting the third rail with the second rail due to obstruction by the carrier, making the assembly process inconvenient for users.

Innovation Solution

A slide rail assembly with a guiding structure comprising first, second, and third guiding portions on the first rail, which facilitates the mounting of the second rail into the channel by guiding it in the height or transverse direction, preventing obstruction and ensuring accurate alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the third rail is mounted to the second rail in a direction D, then the carrier can be extended or retracted, but the carrier blocks the user's sight and makes alignment difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment easeVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding structure changes the mounting direction from the longitudinal direction (direction D) to the height direction. The second rail is guided to approach the channel opening from above or below, and then enters the channel vertically, completely avoiding the line of sight blockage caused by the carrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding structure acts as an intermediary component between the second rail and the channel opening. It includes a guiding portion that extends beyond the channel opening in the height direction to guide the second rail during mounting, facilitating alignment without requiring the user to look past the carrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the guiding structure is added to facilitate mounting, then alignment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting alignmentVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding structure is integrated with the first rail structure. The guiding portion is formed as part of the first rail assembly, combining the guiding function with the existing structural components, thereby minimizing additional complexity while achieving the alignment improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding portion extends beyond the channel opening in the height direction by a specific distance (e.g., 5-15mm) to provide sufficient guidance during mounting. This partial extension is enough to facilitate alignment without adding excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3451808B1Slide rail assembly and mounting method for slide rails
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP3451808B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3451808B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3451808B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A slide rail assembly (20) is disclosed and includes a first rail (22), a second rail (24) and a guiding structure (26) . The first rail (22) includes a first wall (30a), a second wall (30b) and a longitudinal wall (32) connected between the first wall (30a) and the second wall (30b) . The first wall (30a), the second wall (30b) and the longitudinal wall (32) cooperatively define a channel (34), and the channel (34) has a channel opening (35) . The guiding structure (26) is disposed adjacent to the channel opening (35) of the channel (34) and for guiding the second rail (24) to be mounted into the channel (34) via the channel opening (35) .