Slide rail assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide rail assemblies are limited in their ability to facilitate maintenance, as they often restrict movement in specific directions, making it difficult to perform various maintenance tasks on carried objects.

Innovation Solution

A slide rail assembly comprising a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail, with a working member and resilient member that allows the second rail to switch states, enabling movement in both retracted and extended directions, and preventing the third rail from moving from a retracted position, thereby facilitating maintenance by allowing the second rail to move beyond the rear portion of the first rail.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the second rail is restricted to move only in a predetermined direction, then the slide rail assembly maintains simple structure and stable operation, but it becomes impossible to perform various maintenance tasks on carried objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance capabilityVSAvoidslide rail structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slide rail assembly incorporates a working member that can switch between a first state (allowing movement) and a second state (preventing movement). This dynamic state change enables the rail to adapt its movement characteristics based on operational needs, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that can accommodate both maintenance requirements and normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The slide rail assembly is divided into multiple independent components: first rail, second rail, third rail, working member, and resilient member. This segmentation allows each component to perform specific functions independently, with the working member controlling the movement of the second rail relative to the third rail, thereby enabling maintenance operations without complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the second rail can move beyond the rear portion of the first rail, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but the risk of unintended movement and loss of position control increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidposition control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient member is pre-configured to exert a restoring force on the working member, creating a preliminary counter-action that prevents the working member from inadvertently moving to the wrong state. This ensures that movement beyond the rear portion of the first rail occurs only when intentionally triggered, maintaining position control while enabling maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The working member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the second rail and the blocking structure. It mediates the movement control by switching between states: in the first state, it allows the second rail to move beyond the first rail for maintenance; in the second state, it engages with the blocking structure to prevent unintended movement, thus ensuring both accessibility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a blocking structure is used to prevent unintended movement, then position control is maintained, but the ability to move the rail in both directions for maintenance is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition controlVSAvoidmovement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking structure is designed to work dynamically with the working member. The working member can switch between a first state that disengages the blocking structure (allowing bidirectional movement for maintenance) and a second state that engages the blocking structure (maintaining position control). This dynamic interaction resolves the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of the blocking structure through the state switching of the working member. When the working member is in the first state, the blocking structure's constraint parameter is effectively reduced, allowing free movement. When in the second state, the constraint parameter is increased to prevent unintended movement. This parameter change enables both maintenance flexibility and position control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables flexible maintenance by allowing the second rail to move relative to the third rail in both retracted and extended directions, ensuring the carried object can be properly positioned for repair or replacement, enhancing maintenance accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient member (52) configured to provide a resilient force to the working member (28) is arranged so as to hold the working member (28) in a first state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3537858B1Slide rail assembly
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP3537858B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3537858B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3537858B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A slide rail assembly (20) includes a first rail (22), a second rail (24) and a third rail (26). The third rail (26) is mounted between the first rail (22) and the second rail (24). The first rail (22) includes a blocking structure. When the third rail (26) is located at a retracted position with respect to the first rail (22), the blocking structure is used for preventing the third rail (26) from being moved from the retracted position in a retracted direction. When the third rail (26) is located at the retracted position, the second rail (24) can be moved to a predetermined position in the retracted direction with a rear portion (58b) of the second rail (24) being beyond a rear portion (30b) of the first rail (22) by a distance.