Slide Rail Latch Mechanism for Controlled Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional slide rail assemblies, particularly telescopic ones, lack effective mechanisms to prevent accidental retraction of inner slide rails into outer slide rails, leading to user inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A latch mechanism is introduced, featuring a latch module with stop surfaces and release members on the second slide rail, which engages with protrusions on the first slide rail to securely retain the slide rail assembly, allowing controlled extension and retraction by selectively releasing the stop surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stop member with protrusion engages with an inclined wall of a retaining member, then accidental release of the slide rail is prevented, but the slide rail cannot be restrained from retracting too far due to careless user force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of accidental releaseVSAvoiduser convenience in controlling retraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latch member is designed to be movable between locked and unlocked positions, allowing the system to dynamically adapt between preventing accidental release and permitting controlled retraction. The movable latch member responds to user input forces by transitioning between engagement and disengagement states with the stop member protrusions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The latch mechanism automatically engages and disengages based on the position and force applied to the slide rail assembly. When the second slide rail is pulled outward, the latch member automatically moves to engage with the stop member protrusions. When inward force is applied, the latch member automatically disengages, allowing the system to serve itself without requiring separate control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If a conventional stop member with protrusion is used, then the slide rail assembly structure is simple, but it lacks effective mechanisms to prevent accidental retraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidprevention of accidental retraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism is divided into distinct functional components: the latch member with stop surfaces, the stop member with protrusions, and the release members. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity. The latch member segments the retention function from the release function, enabling reliable accidental retraction prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The latch member acts as an intermediary between the stop member protrusions and the second slide rail. It transfers and controls the engagement force between these components, providing effective prevention of accidental retraction while maintaining structural simplicity. The latch member mediates the interaction between the release members and the stop surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the latch module is designed with multiple stop surfaces and release members, then controlled extension and retraction is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled extension and retractionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latch member serves multiple functions: it provides stop surfaces for engagement with protrusions, acts as a movable linkage between release members and stop surfaces, and provides mechanical advantage for easy actuation. The release members serve dual purposes of initiating latch movement and providing user feedback during operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The release members are integrated directly with the latch member through sliding engagement, combining the release mechanism and latch actuation into a single integrated system. The stop surfaces are incorporated as features of the latch member rather than separate components. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining controlled extension and retraction functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7794030B2Latch mechanism for slide rail assembly

Publication Date: 2010.09.14 FULIAN PRESION ELECTRONICS (TIANJIN) CO LTD

AI summary

A latch mechanism is provided for retaining a slide rail assembly, which includes first and second slide rails. The latch mechanism includes a latch module movably carried by the second slide rail, a stop member arranged on the first slide rail, a first release member and a second release member slidably attached to the second slide rail. The latch module includes a first stop surface and a second stop surface at opposite sides thereof. Two protrusions extend from the stop member at diagonally opposite corners thereof configured to respectively engage with the first and second stop surfaces of the latch module for retaining the second slide rail relative to the first slide rail. The first and second release members capable of selectively driving the latch module to slide the latch module to release the first or second stop surface from the corresponding protrusions of the stop member.