Slide Rail Connecting Assembly With Transverse Drawer Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide rail systems face challenges in accurately mounting drawers due to minor errors during the mounting process, leading to issues with the connecting device's alignment with the slide rail, which increases production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A slide rail system with a front connecting device featuring a first and second unit, an engaging element with an elastic arm, and an adjusting element that allows for transverse adjustment of the drawer's position relative to the slide rail, enabling precise alignment through a screw rod mechanism and disengaging element for secure connection and easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional rigid connecting device is used, then the mounting process is simple, but it cannot accommodate minor mounting errors and requires high manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device incorporates an elastic arm that can flexibly deform to accommodate misalignment between the connecting portion and mounting hole. This dynamic element allows the rigid connecting device to adapt to minor mounting errors through elastic deformation, reducing the requirement for high manufacturing precision while maintaining simple mounting procedures.
2Manufacturing precision
If an adjustable connecting device is added to eliminate mounting errors, then mounting precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment function and connection function into a single integrated connecting device. The elastic arm simultaneously provides both the adjustment capability to eliminate mounting errors and the connection function to secure the drawer to the slide rail, avoiding the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arm automatically adjusts to accommodate mounting errors through its inherent elasticity. When the connecting portion is inserted into the mounting hole, the elastic arm self-adjusts its position and orientation to achieve proper alignment and secure connection, eliminating the need for manual adjustment operations or complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used for adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adjustment function from separate adjustment components and integrates it into the elastic arm itself. The elastic arm's inherent flexibility provides the transverse adjustment capability without requiring additional adjustment components, thereby reducing the number of parts, simplifying the manufacturing process, and lowering production costs while maintaining adaptability to mounting errors.
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 adjustment and secure mounting of drawers relative to slide rails, addressing alignment errors and reducing production costs by simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The engaging element further includes an elastic arm. When the adjusting portion of the adjusting element is rotated, the second unit is displaced relative to the second rail, the engaging portion of the engaging element if not yet corresponding in position to the mounting hole of the second rail is pressed against a sidewall of the second rail and pivoted by a predetermined angle such that the elastic arm stores an elastic energy
Implementation Method 2
The adjusting element has an adjusting portion and a screw rod. The screw rod is connected to the first unit and the second unit. The second unit is displaceable relative to the second rail in response to rotation of the adjusting portion of the adjusting element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A slide rail assembly (16) includes first and second rails (32, 34). The second rail (34), slidable relative to the first rail (32), has a mounting hole (46). A connecting device (12) includes first and second units (48, 50), an engaging element (52), and an adjusting element (28). The second unit (50) has a transverse guiding portion (80) located at its counterpart (62) of the first unit (48). The engaging element (52), connected to the second unit (50), has an engaging portion (98) partially located in the mounting hole (46) to connect the connecting device (12) to the second rail (34). The adjusting element (28) is connected to both units (48, 50). The second unit (50) is displaceable in response to rotation of the adjusting element (28), thereby enabling displacement of the engaging portion (98) relative to the mounting hole (46).