Slide rail assembly
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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 positioning member and a blocking member, both made of elastic materials, which are driven by an operation member to engage and disengage a predetermined feature on the second rail, allowing it to move between extending positions and prevent retraction or extension based on user operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking member and operation member are used to lock and release the second rail, then the second rail can be securely locked at the second position, but the structure becomes more complex and may not be suitable for all applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking function from a separate locking member and integrates it into the blocking member itself. The blocking member's protrusion directly engages with the positioning member's groove to provide locking, eliminating the need for a distinct locking mechanism while maintaining secure positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides blocking at the first position, positioning/locking at the second position through engagement with the positioning member, and can be actuated by the operation member. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the system.
2Reliability
If a blocking member and positioning member are used to prevent rail movement, then the second rail can be prevented from unintended movement, but the mechanism requires more components and may reduce ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the blocking function and positioning function into a coordinated system where the blocking member's protrusion and the positioning member's groove work together. This integration allows for simpler manufacturing compared to having separate locking and positioning mechanisms, as the features can be molded or machined as part of the rail structures themselves.
3Reliability
If the blocking member and positioning member are made of elastic materials, then the blocking and positioning functions can be more flexible and reliable, but the material selection and manufacturing requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the blocking member and positioning member be made of elastic materials, which changes the material parameter from rigid to flexible. This allows the blocking and positioning functions to be more reliable through elastic deformation and recovery, while the specific material choice (elastic materials) simplifies manufacturing compared to requiring precise mechanical fits with rigid components.
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 control over the movement of the second rail relative to the first rail, allowing it to extend and retract within limited spaces while preventing unintended movement, thus accommodating diverse market requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the blocking member and positioning member includes an elastic material. Each of the blocking member and positioning member is an elastic sheet structure
Data Source
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AI summary
A slide rail assembly includes a first rail (22), a second rail (24) and an operation member (70). The first rail (22) includes a positioning member (34). The second rail (24) is capable of displacing relative to the first rail (22) and includes a predetermined feature (61). When the second rail (24) is displaced relative to the first rail (22) from a first extending position (E1) to a second extending position (E2) along a retracting direction (D2), the second rail (24) is engaged with the positioning member (34) through the predetermined feature (61) so as to prevent the second rail (24) from leaving the second extending position (E2). The positioning member (34) is driven through the operation member (70) being operably moved from a second operation position (P2) to a first operation position (PI) to allow the second rail (24) to leave the second extending position (E2).