Three-Section Slide Rail Assembly for Smooth Motion in Tight Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide rail assemblies face challenges in balancing sliding smoothness and space efficiency, with ball bearing systems providing smoothness but requiring more space, and solid bearing systems compromising on smoothness for reduced space usage.

Innovation Solution

A three-section slide rail assembly with a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail, featuring a first supporting assembly and a sliding auxiliary assembly with arc-shaped contact surfaces and balls to enhance smoothness while minimizing space, allowing for improved sliding performance in a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a ball bearing slide rail assembly is used, then sliding smoothness is improved, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding smoothnessVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The slide rail assembly is divided into multiple sections: a first slide rail section with ball bearings for smooth movement, and a second slide rail section with solid bearings for space efficiency. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while collectively resolving the contradiction between smoothness and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the slide rail assembly have different bearing types tailored to their specific functional requirements. The first section uses ball bearings where smoothness is critical, while the second section uses solid bearings where space constraints are more important. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying the right solution in the right location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If a solid bearing slide rail assembly is used, then installation space is reduced, but sliding smoothness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidsliding smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly segments the sliding path into two distinct zones with different bearing characteristics. The solid bearing section provides compactness while the ball bearing section restores smoothness where needed, thus resolving the contradiction through spatial segmentation of functional properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges two different bearing systems (ball bearings and solid bearings) into a single integrated slide rail assembly. This combination allows the system to simultaneously achieve the space efficiency of solid bearings and the sliding smoothness of ball bearings, resolving the contradiction by integrating complementary solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 assembly achieves enhanced sliding smoothness and stability in limited spaces by utilizing a combination of supporting assemblies and a sliding auxiliary assembly with rolling contact, effectively addressing the trade-off between smoothness and space efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a sliding auxiliary assembly (20) arranged on the second rail (14), comprising a plurality of balls (66) configured to support the third rail (16) and assist the third rail (16) in moving relative to the second rail (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling contact: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP3298929B1Slide rail assembly
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 KING SLIDE WORKS CO LTD
  • EP3298929B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3298929B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3298929B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A slide rail assembly (10) includes a first rail (12), a second rail (14), a third rail (16), a first supporting assembly (18) and a sliding auxiliary assembly (20). The first supporting assembly (18) is arranged on the first rail (12) for supporting the second rail (14). The sliding auxiliary assembly (20) is movably mounted on the second rail (14), and includes a plurality of balls (66) for supporting the third rail (16).