Slide rail assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide rail assemblies require manual operation of a switching member to retract fully, leading to potential misalignment issues that prevent complete retraction, especially in narrow spaces.

Innovation Solution

A slide rail assembly with a switch member that is linearly movable between first and second states, driven by a driving structure on the third rail to ensure proper alignment and automatic switching between states, allowing for reliable retraction and extension without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the switching member is manually operated to switch positions, then the user can control the retraction and extension of the slide rail assembly, but misalignment may occur preventing complete retraction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual switching controlVSAvoidcomplete retraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The third rail is designed to automatically drive the switching member to switch from the first state to the second state when the third rail moves along the extending direction, and to drive the second rail to move along the retracting direction when in the second state. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual switching operations while ensuring reliable complete retraction through automatic state switching driven by the third rail's movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the third rail is used to automatically drive the second rail for retraction, then complete retraction is ensured, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete retractionVSAvoiddriving structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving structure is integrated directly onto the third rail, merging the driving function with the existing third rail component. The third rail serves dual purposes: as a structural element and as an automatic driving mechanism that contacts the switching member and second rail to enable automatic state switching and retraction, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The third rail performs multiple functions: it serves as a structural support element, an automatic switching actuator (contacting the switching member to change its state), and a driving element (contacting the second rail to move it during retraction). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, simplifying the overall device structure.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3821762B1Slide rail assembly
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP3821762B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3821762B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3821762B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A slide rail assembly (20) includes a first rail (202), a second rail (204), a third rail (206) and a switch member (300) . The second rail (204) is movably mounted between the first rail (202) and the third rail (206) . The switch member (300) is linearly movable and configured to be switched between a first state and a second state. When the switch member (300) is in the second state, the second rail (204) is configured to be driven by the third rail (206) to move to a predetermined position along a retracting direction. When the third rail (206) is moved relative to the second rail (204) at the predetermined position along an extending direction, the switch member (300) is configured to be switched from the second state to the first state.