Slide rail assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide rail assemblies face challenges in providing adequate support and reducing frictional resistance during the longitudinal movement of rails, especially when dealing with objects of irregular shapes, which increases the required force for operation and complicates the assembly and disassembly processes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed slide rail assembly incorporates a first rail, a second rail, a third rail, a first supporting device with a reinforcement member and a bracket, and at least one supporting member that is rotatably mounted on an auxiliary member. The supporting member contacts the reinforcement member or bracket through an arced contour and a linear section, reducing frictional resistance and enhancing support by extending beyond the rail ends, allowing for smoother movement and easier operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional slide rail assemblies are used without additional supporting devices, then the structure remains simple, but the frictional resistance increases and support is inadequate during rail movement
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member acts as an intermediary element between the second rail and the first supporting device. It mediates the interaction by providing a rolling contact interface that reduces frictional resistance during the longitudinal movement of the second rail relative to the first rail, thereby easing operation without fundamentally redesigning the entire rail assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the friction parameter by introducing a rolling contact mechanism instead of sliding contact. The supporting member with arced contour transforms the friction type from sliding friction to rolling friction, significantly reducing frictional resistance and improving ease of operation
2Reliability
If the supporting member contacts only through a small area, then the device complexity is reduced, but the support provided during rail movement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member incorporates an arced contour (curved surface) that contacts the first supporting device. This curvature allows for better distribution of contact forces and provides more reliable support during the movement of the second rail, while the compact curved design does not significantly increase device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member extends beyond the first rail in the longitudinal direction, utilizing the additional spatial dimension to provide enhanced support. This extension allows the supporting member to engage with the first supporting device at multiple points along the movement trajectory, improving reliability without adding complex multi-dimensional structures
3Ease of operation
If the supporting member has an arced contour for better contact, then frictional resistance is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arced contour of the supporting member is designed with a practical curvature radius that balances the friction reduction benefit with manufacturability. The curved profile is simple enough to be manufactured using conventional machining or forming processes, avoiding the need for highly complex precision manufacturing while still achieving significant friction reduction compared to flat contact surfaces
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
This configuration reduces the frictional forces between the rails, enabling easier and less forceful operation of the slide rail assembly, particularly when handling objects with special shapes, by providing enhanced support and facilitating the movement between retracted and extended positions.
Implementation Method 1
The second rail is supported and contacted by one of the reinforcement member and the first bracket through the at least one supporting member. The at least one supporting member is configured to be supported by and contacted along a first portion of the reinforcement member through an arced contour of the at least one supporting member and a linear section of the first portion of the reinforcement member being contacted with each other
Data Source
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AI summary
A slide rail assembly (20) including a first rail (22), a second rail (24), a third rail (26), a first supporting device (28), and at least one supporting member (30) is provided. The first rail (22) includes a first end portion (22a) and a second end portion (22b) that are opposite to each other. The second rail (24) is longitudinally movable relative to the first rail (22). The third rail (26) is longitudinally movable relative to the second rail (24). The first supporting device (28) exceeds the first end portion (22a) of the first rail (22) for a predetermined longitudinal distance (X). The at least one supporting member (30) is arranged on one of the second rail (24) and the first supporting device (28).