Slide rail assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide rail assemblies lack a mechanism to precisely position a second rail relative to a first rail at different positions, limiting their versatility and application in various requirements.

Innovation Solution

A slide rail assembly featuring a first rail, a second rail, assisting structures, a blocking member, and an operating member, where the blocking member is movably mounted on the second rail and can be operated to block or allow displacement along specific directions, enabling positioning at multiple predetermined positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a blocking mechanism is added to enable precise positioning of the second rail at different positions, then the positioning precision and versatility are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: blocking members (34) that can be individually positioned, assisting structures (28a-28d) that provide discrete positioning points, and operating members (36) that control each blocking member independently. This segmentation allows the second rail to be precisely positioned at multiple predetermined locations while keeping each component relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The assisting structures (28a-28d) act as intermediaries between the blocking members (34) and the second rail (24). These assisting structures provide reference points and guide the blocking members to engage at specific positions, enabling precise positioning without requiring complex direct control mechanisms between the operating members and the rail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a blocking mechanism with multiple assisting structures is implemented to allow positioning at different positions, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking members (34) are designed with universal functionality to work with all assisting structures (28a-28d) along the first rail (22). Each blocking member can engage with any assisting structure to provide positioning, and the same blocking member can also function as an assisting structure for other blocking members. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while avoiding the need for separate mechanisms for each positioning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking members (34) are designed to be movable between a blocking state (where they engage with assisting structures to prevent displacement) and a non-blocking state (where they allow free movement). This dynamic capability allows the mechanism to adapt between different operational modes: precise positioning mode and free movement mode, increasing versatility without requiring entirely separate mechanisms for each mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If blocking members are made movable to allow operation between blocking and non-blocking states, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may worsen due to potential positioning errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking members (34) are designed to automatically transition between blocking and non-blocking states based on their interaction with the assisting structures (28a-28d). When a blocking member engages with an assisting structure, it automatically enters the blocking state without requiring additional control input. This self-service mechanism ensures consistent positioning while reducing the complexity of control operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The assisting structures (28a-28d) provide physical feedback to the blocking members (34) through engagement and disengagement. When a blocking member engages with an assisting structure, the physical contact provides tactile feedback that confirms proper positioning. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable positioning by allowing the operator to verify engagement, while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive physical interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4456686A1Slide rail assembly
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP4456686A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4456686A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4456686A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A slide rail assembly (20) includes a first rail (22), a second rail (24), a blocking member (34) and an operating member (36). A plurality of assisting structures (28a, 28b, 28c, 28d) are arranged on the first rail (22). The second rail (24) is displaceable relative to the first rail (22) and can be positioned at different positions by a blocking of the blocking member (34) and one of the plurality of assisting structures (28a, 28b, 28c, 28d). The operating member (36) is configured to operate the blocking member (34) for terminating the blocking of the blocking member (34) and the one of the plurality of assisting structure (28a, 28b, 28c, 28d).