Slide Rail Assembly With Integrated Locking and Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide assembly technologies require high manufacturing costs and complex machining steps due to individually installed locking and synchronizing mechanisms, which are inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A slide assembly with a locking member, synchronizing member, and connection member that allows synchronous movement of inner and middle rails with the outer rail, utilizing locking and releasing mechanisms to engage and disengage rails efficiently, reducing the need for complex machining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If locking and synchronizing mechanisms are individually installed, then the rails can be smoothly moved and synchronized, but the manufacturing cost is high and machining steps are complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth rail movement and synchronizationVSAvoidcomplex machining steps and manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism and synchronizing mechanism are merged into a single integrated structure. The locking member includes both a locking portion that engages with the locking hole and a synchronizing portion that engages with the synchronizing hole, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable rail movement and synchronization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If locking and synchronizing mechanisms are individually installed, then the rails can be smoothly moved and synchronized, but the manufacturing cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth rail movement and synchronizationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member integrates both locking and synchronizing functions into one component. The locking portion engages with the locking hole to lock the middle rail to the outer rail, while the synchronizing portion engages with the synchronizing hole to ensure synchronized movement. This integration reduces the number of parts, simplifies assembly, and lowers manufacturing cost while ensuring reliable operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the middle rail is connected to the outer rail at a proper position, then the inner and middle rails can be synchronously pulled out, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronous rail movement efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member combines the connection function between the middle rail and outer rail with the locking and synchronizing functions. By integrating these functions into a single component that engages with both the locking hole and synchronizing hole on the outer rail, the structure achieves synchronous rail movement without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution enables cost-effective and efficient synchronization of inner and middle rails with the outer rail, reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying the machining process while maintaining smooth rail movement and synchronization.

Implementation Method 1

The locking portion extends through the first hole of the middle rail and resiliently contacts the outer rail

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The synchronizing member extends from the fixing portion of the locking member and extends through the second hole of the middle rail and resiliently contacts the outer rail

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The protrusion has an inclined surface. A connection member extends from the releasing member and has an end portion and a shoulder portion. The shoulder portion is located corresponding to the protrusion of the synchronizing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2540190B1Slide assembly and connection device

Publication Date: 2015.02.18 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD

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AI summary

A slide assembly includes an outer rail (10), a middle rail (12) slidably connected to the outer rail (10), and an inner rail (16) slidably connected to the middle rail (12). The middle rail (12) has a locking member (14) and a synchronizing member (34) extends from the locking member (14). A releasing member (18) is fixed to the inner rail (16) and a connection member (48) extends from the releasing member (18). The middle and inner rails (12), (16) are synchronously pulled from the outer rail (10) and when the middle rail (12) is positioned at a desired position, the inner rail (16) is continuously pulled out by the connection between the locking member (14) and the outer rail (10) and by the connection member (48) disengaged from the synchronizing member (34). When the inner rail (16) is retracted relative to the middle rail (12), the releasing member (18) releases the middle rail (12) from the outer rail (10) and the middle rail (12) is retracted relative to the outer rail (10).