Slide Rail Support Mechanism to Prevent Full-Extension Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide assemblies lack a mechanism to prevent rails from disengaging and dropping when fully extended, posing a risk of damage or malfunction.

Innovation Solution

A support mechanism comprising a first rail with a vertical board, top and bottom rails, and an engaging member with a resilient connection that forms a stop point when the second rail is slid to a pre-set position, preventing the chassis from dropping by contacting an extension wall of the first rail.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the slide assembly is extended to full length, then the accessibility and usability are improved, but the rails may disengage and drop causing damage or malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidrail engagement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support mechanism applies preliminary anti-action by providing a stop that prevents the rail from disengaging before it can drop. The stop is positioned to contact the rail at a predetermined location, creating a counter-force that opposes the downward movement and potential disengagement of the rail when the slide assembly is fully extended.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The support mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the rail and the potential drop hazard. It introduces a intermediate stop structure that mediates the interaction between the rail and the extension wall, preventing direct contact between the rail and the ground or damage surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a support mechanism is added to prevent rail disengagement, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverail engagement stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the stop element, the resilient member, and the extension wall. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity. The stop provides the blocking function, the resilient member provides the forcing function, and the extension wall provides the structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support mechanism is designed to be self-service through the resilient member that automatically forces the stop into engagement with the extension wall. The resilient member self-adjusts to maintain contact between the stop and the extension wall without requiring external control systems or additional actuation mechanisms.

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

Effectively prevents the chassis from dropping by establishing a secure stop point through the resilient force of the engaging member, ensuring stability and preventing damage when the slide assembly is extended.

Implementation Method 1

A resilient member is connected between the second end of the engaging member and the top board of the second rail. The resilient member provides a resilient force to the engaging member so that the stop of the first end of the engaging member is inserted into the passage of the second rail by the resilient force from the resilient member.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2540191B1Support mechanism for slide assembly
Publication Date: 2014.07.30 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP2540191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2540191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2540191B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A slide assembly includes a first rail (10), a second rail (12), an engaging member (14) and a resilient member (16). The first rail (10) includes an extension wall (34) and the second rail (12) is slidably connected to the first rail (10), and has a passage (40). The engaging member (14) is pivotably connected to the second rail (12), and has a first end (46) and a second end (48). The first end (46) includes a stop (50). The resilient member (16) is connected between the second end (48) of the engaging member (14) and the second rail (12) so as to provide a resilient force to the engaging member (14) so that the stop (50) of the first end (46) of the engaging member (14) is inserted into the passage (40) of the second rail (12) by the resilient force from the resilient member (16). The stop (50) is longitudinally located corresponding to the extension wall (34) of the first rail (10). When the second rail (12) is slid to a pre-set position relative to the first rail (10), the stop (50) of the engaging member (14) contacts the extension wall (34) of the first rail (10) to form a stop point.