Slide Rail Assembly with Elastic Blocking Member for Flexible Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide rail assemblies do not adequately address the need for flexible release mechanisms between two slide rails to accommodate various market demands, as they often rely on specific locking and blocking methods that may not be suitable for all applications.
Innovation Solution
A slide rail assembly featuring a first rail with a blocking member and a positioning member, both made of elastic materials, where an operation member can move to release the blocking state, allowing the second rail to retract, and engage with a predetermined feature to prevent it from leaving an extending position, utilizing elastic forces for secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking member is used to prevent the second rail from retracting, then the second rail can be securely held at an extending position, but the system lacks flexibility to accommodate different market demands and applications
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is designed as an elastic component that can dynamically change its blocking state. When the operation member is not actuated, the elastic blocking member maintains a blocking configuration to prevent retracting. When the operation member is actuated, the elastic blocking member deforms to an unblocking configuration, allowing retracting motion. This dynamic state change enables the same component to provide both secure holding and controlled release for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic blocking member changes its physical state (blocking vs. unblocking) in response to operational parameters. The member's deformation state is controlled by the operation member, allowing the system to transition between different functional states. This parameter-based control enables versatility while maintaining reliability in each state.
2Reliability
If a locking member is used to lock the second rail at a position, then the second rail cannot be moved relative to the first rail, but releasing the lock requires complex operation member mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking and blocking functions are merged into a single elastic blocking member. This member simultaneously provides positioning, locking, and blocking functions by maintaining a stable blocking configuration. The release mechanism is simplified by actuating the same operation member that controls the blocking member's state, eliminating the need for separate complex release mechanisms while maintaining reliable position holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic blocking member is designed to automatically maintain its blocking state to prevent unintended movement. When the operation member is actuated, the elastic member's own elasticity enables it to transition to an unblocking state without requiring additional complex mechanisms. The member essentially locks itself in the blocking position and releases itself when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the blocking member is made of elastic material to enable state changes, then the blocking member can transition between blocking and unblocking states, but the positioning precision may be affected by elastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic blocking member is pre-designed with specific geometric features and deformation characteristics that ensure accurate positioning when in the blocking state. The member's elastic deformation is calculated and controlled during design to maintain precise positioning while enabling state transitions. This preliminary design ensures that the elastic material provides both operational flexibility and positioning accuracy.
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 flexible operation by allowing the second rail to change positions while maintaining secure engagement, accommodating different lengths and configurations, and allowing detachment of the third rail, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The blocking member includes an elastic material... When the operation member is operated to move from a first operation position to a second operation position, the blocking member is driven to leave the blocking state
Implementation Method 2
The positioning member includes an elastic material... When the second rail reaches the second extending position, the positioning member returns from the second predetermined state to the first predetermined state in response to the release of the elastic force
Data Source
AI summary
A slide rail assembly includes a first rail including a blocking member and a positioning member, a second rail including a predetermined feature, a working member and an operation member. When the second rail is at a first extending position, the blocking member is in a blocking state capable of blocking the working member so as to prevent the second rail from displacing along a retracting direction. The operation member is capable of being operated to drive the blocking member to leave the blocking state so as to allow the second rail to displace along the retracting direction. When the second rail is displaced from the first extending position to a second extending position along the retracting direction, the second rail is engaged with the positioning member through the predetermined feature so as to prevent the second rail from leaving the second extending position.