Slide Rail Cable Management Coupling for Easy Detachment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection devices for cable management systems and slide rail assemblies require improved designs to facilitate easy detachment with reduced effort, as current solutions are inefficient in this regard.

Innovation Solution

A connection device featuring a first fitting with a containing structure and a second fitting having a protrusion, along with a resilient member that generates an elastic force to unlock and lock the fittings, allowing for easy detachment and reattachment of the cable management device from the slide rail assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a connection device uses a resilient member with a blocking part to prevent detachment, then the stability and reliability of the connection is improved, but the ease of operation for detachment becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddetachment effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking part is designed to dynamically change its position between a blocked state (preventing detachment) and an unblocked state (allowing detachment). When the resilient member is in its elastic state, the blocking part extends to block the protrusion. When the resilient member is deformed by applying force, the blocking part retracts to allow the protrusion to pass through, enabling easy detachment while maintaining connection stability during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member changes its physical state between elastic (blocking) and deformed (unblocking) conditions. By applying external force, the physical parameters of the resilient member change, causing the blocking part to transition from an extended blocking position to a retracted unblocking position. This parameter change allows the system to switch between stable connection and easy detachment states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the containing structure has a narrow second portion to secure the protrusion, then the connection strength is improved, but the ease of insertion and detachment becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidinsertion and detachment ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic state changes of the resilient member to temporarily modify the effective width of the second portion. During insertion, the resilient member is in a deformed state, allowing the blocking part to be in an unblocked position, which effectively widens the passage and facilitates easy insertion. Once inserted, the resilient member returns to its elastic state, causing the blocking part to extend and effectively narrow the passage to secure the protrusion strongly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient member is pre-configured to be in a deformed state during the insertion process, which preliminarily opens the blocking part to create a wider passage. This preliminary action reduces the insertion force required. After insertion is complete, the resilient member naturally returns to its elastic state, automatically engaging the blocking part to secure the connection without requiring additional fastening actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 easy detachment and reattachment of the cable management device from the slide rail assembly with reduced effort, providing stability in the locked position and ease of operation through the use of a resilient member that facilitates the unlocking and locking mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member attached to one of the first fitting and the second fitting, the resilient member comprising a blocking part being at a locked position or an unlocked position in response to an elastic force provided by the resilient member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3525562B1Connection device for cable management device and slide rail assembly
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP3525562B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3525562B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3525562B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A connection device (26, 28) for a cable management device (24) and a slide rail assembly (22) is disclosed. The slide rail assembly (22) includes a first rail (30) and a second rail (32), and the rails (30, 32) are displaceable with respect to each other. The cable management device (24) includes a first arm (36) and a second arm (38). The first arm (36) and the second arm (38) are movable with respect to each other and respectively coupled to the first rail (30) and the second rail (32) by two connection devices (26, 28). At least one of the connection devices (26, 28) includes a first fitting (46, 47), a second fitting (48, 49) and a resilient member (50, 51). When the first fitting (46, 47) is mounted to the second fitting (48, 49), a part (50b) of the resilient member (50, 51) is configured to prevent the first (46, 47) and second fittings (48, 49) from being detached from each other.