Slide rail assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide rail assemblies inadequately support wider objects due to insufficient support for rail sections, leading to potential deformation under weight, as the gap between rails results in inadequate support for the second rail's section.

Innovation Solution

A slide rail assembly with a supporting mechanism that includes a third rail and at least one supporting structure connected via an extension member, which supports two portions of the second rail when it is at a predetermined position relative to the first rail, ensuring enhanced support through a combination of the third rail and the supporting structure, optionally aided by a slide facilitating device with rolling members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If the second rail is mounted with the object to be carried in a conventional slide rail assembly, then the mounting space for the object is increased, but the rail section S2 of the second rail becomes inadequately supported and may bend or deform under the weight of the object

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting space for objectVSAvoidsupport strength for rail section S2
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is segmented between two distinct components: the third rail that supports the first portion of the second rail, and the supporting structure that supports the second portion of the second rail. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific support location, ensuring comprehensive support across the entire rail section S2 while maintaining adequate mounting space for the object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the gap G between the second rail and the first rail is reduced to improve support, then the support strength for rail section S2 is increased, but the mounting space for the object is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport strength for rail section S2VSAvoidmounting space for object
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second rail, utilizing a different spatial dimension to provide support. This allows the support function to be achieved without reducing the gap G between the first and second rails, thereby maintaining adequate mounting space for the object while still providing necessary support strength for rail section S2.

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

3Strength

If the third rail is positioned closer to the first rail to improve support for the second rail, then the support strength is increased, but the slide rail assembly becomes more complex and occupies more space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport strength for second railVSAvoidstructural complexity of slide rail assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure acts as an intermediary element that connects the first rail to the second rail, providing support for the second portion of the second rail. This intermediary structure is strategically positioned and oriented to provide necessary support while minimizing structural complexity and space occupation, as it extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction rather than requiring additional rails in the primary support path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3419397B1Slide rail assembly
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP3419397B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3419397B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3419397B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A slide rail assembly (16) includes a first rail (22), a second rail (24), a third rail (26), and at least one supporting structure (28). The second rail (24) is movable with respect to the first rail (22). The third rail (26) is mounted between the first rail (22) and the second rail (24). The at least one supporting structure (28) is disposed at a position relative to the first rail (22). When the second rail (24) is at a predetermined position (P) relative to the first rail (22), the third rail (26) supports a portion of the second rail (24), and the at least one supporting structure (28) supports the remaining portion of the second rail (24).