Slide Rail Driving Mechanism for Lower Pull-Back Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide rail assemblies in furniture systems require significant manual effort to pull back due to high pulling-back force, especially when transitioning from an open position to a retrieve position, which can be tiring and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A driving mechanism for slide rail assemblies that includes a first driving device with a first elastic member and a locking device, and a second driving device with a second elastic member, allowing the second rail to move from a retrieve position to an open position with reduced effort by accumulating and releasing driving forces through a capturing member and blocking member mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional slide rail assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but the pulling-back force is high requiring significant manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The slide rail assembly is divided into multiple functional components: a first rail, a second rail, a driving mechanism with first and second driving devices, a locking device, and a damping member. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the system to reduce pulling-back force through coordinated operation of segmented parts rather than a single monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The first elastic member is pre-compressed between the first base and the locking device to store elastic potential energy before the drawer is pulled out. This preliminary action allows the elastic member to automatically exert a pushing force during the retraction phase, reducing the manual effort needed to pull the drawer back.
Solution Approach 3:
The damping member is configured to provide a damping force that automatically resists the motion of the second rail when the drawer is pulled out, without requiring external control or additional energy input. This self-service mechanism helps control the pulling-back force through passive energy dissipation.
2Ease of operation
If elastic members are added to reduce pulling-back force, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first driving device and the locking device are integrated into a unified structure where the first elastic member is positioned between the first base and the locking device. The second driving device is similarly merged with the second rail. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining the elastic force-assisted operation.
3Power
If a locking device with elastic member is used, then driving force is provided, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device serves multiple functions: it locks the second rail to the first rail when the drawer is in the closed position, and it allows the first elastic member to exert a pushing force during retraction. The first base also serves as a mounting structure for both the locking device and the first elastic member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining driving force.
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 mechanism reduces the pulling-back force required to return the slide rail to its retrieve position, making it easier to use and increasing user convenience by leveraging elastic forces to assist in the movement of the rail.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic member and a first base. The locking device is connected to the first driving device, and the locking device comprises a locking part and a guiding passage passing through the locking part. The swing member is movably connected to the second rail and moveable in the guiding passage to abut against the locking part. The first elastic member of the first driving device is configured to accumulate a first driving force in response to the swing member abutting against the locking part of the locking device
Implementation Method 2
The second driving device comprises a second base, a capturing member, a blocking member pivoted to the capturing member, and a second elastic member. The second base is movably connected to the first base, and the second base comprises a first guiding section and a second guiding section communicated with the first guiding section and turned from the first guiding section
Data Source
AI summary
A driving mechanism for a slide rail assembly with a first and a second rails includes a first driving device, a locking device, a swing member and a second driving device. The first driving device includes a first elastic member and a first base. The first elastic member accumulates a first driving force when the swing member abutting against a locking part of the locking device. The second driving device is mounted to the second rail and includes a second base movably connected to the first base, a blocking member movable in a guiding section of the second base, and a second elastic member. When the second rail and the second base are moved from a retrieve position toward an open position relative to the first rail, the blocking part abuts against a portion of the guiding section for allowing the second elastic member to accumulate a second driving force.