Slide rail assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide rail assemblies lack versatility and user-friendly mechanisms for adjusting and securing the position of rails, particularly in applications requiring multiple extended positions and secure retraction.

Innovation Solution

A slide rail assembly with a handle mechanism that interacts with gear structures and elastic members to facilitate smooth transitions between retracted, extended, and fully extended positions, using blocking features and locking mechanisms to secure the rail positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a slide rail assembly uses a simple structure without multiple locking mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for different market requirements and positions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability for different market requirementsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent locking arms (first locking arm, second locking arm, third locking arm) that can independently engage with different locking positions on the second rail, allowing the system to accommodate various market requirements while maintaining a modular structure that doesn't excessively increase complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is designed to provide multiple locking positions (first extended position, second extended position, retracted position) using a unified structure, enabling the slide rail assembly to serve different market requirements and applications without requiring entirely separate mechanisms for each function

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If a slide rail assembly uses multiple locking mechanisms for different positions, then the versatility for different market requirements is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility for different positionsVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple locking functions are merged into a single integrated locking mechanism that controls the first locking arm, second locking arm, and third locking arm through coordinated operation, reducing the need for separate control systems for each locking position while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking arms are designed with movable and adjustable characteristics, allowing them to dynamically engage and disengage from different locking positions based on operational requirements, providing versatility without requiring fixed complex mechanisms for each position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a slide rail assembly uses a manual operating mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity compared to automated systems is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to be automatically engaged and disengaged through the natural movement of the first rail relative to the second rail, with the locking arms self-activating at appropriate positions during extension and retraction, providing ease of operation without requiring additional automated actuators that would increase complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances user convenience and functionality by allowing seamless adjustment and secure positioning of rails, ensuring easy extension and retraction while maintaining stability in various configurations.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member abutting against each other... configured to rotate between a first position in which the retaining arms are locked to the stop member and a second position in which the retaining arms are unlocked from the stop member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4563040B1Slide rail assembly
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP4563040B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4563040B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4563040B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A slide rail assembly (20) includes a first rail (22), a second rail (24), a third rail (28), a first working member (90), a second working member (92), an operating member (94) and a handle (26) . During a process of the handle (26) being moved to switch from a first state to a second state, the operating member (94) is driven to move the second working member (92) to switch from a first working state to a second working state. When the second rail (24) is moved along an opening direction to an extended position, the first working member (90) in the first working state and a blocking feature (44) block each other to prevent the second rail (24) from being further moved along the opening direction, and the second working member (92) in the second working state and the blocking feature (44) do not block each other.