Compact Sliding Guide with Recessed Actuating Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic columns face challenges in minimizing the space between moving parts, maintaining low assembly effort, and reducing production costs, particularly in the furniture sector where design constraints require minimal thickness and compactness.
Innovation Solution
A sliding guide design where the first part has a recess to support the actuating element, allowing the sliding element to be displaced form-fittingly towards the second part, with adjustable play compensation using inclined contact surfaces and latching means, minimizing the space required for the sliding guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a plain bearing with a device for shifting the actuating element is used to compensate for play, then the play can be adjusted, but the space required between the two parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating element is supported in a recess that extends in a direction transverse to the sliding surfaces, allowing the adjusting mechanism to operate in a different dimensional plane. This enables play compensation without increasing the space between the sliding surfaces in the primary movement direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating element is received within a recess of the first part, creating a nested arrangement where the adjusting mechanism is housed within the existing structure. This eliminates the need for additional external space while maintaining the play adjustment capability.
2Length of moving object
If the thickness of telescopic parts is kept very small for design reasons, then the compactness is improved, but the areas of the plain bearing cannot be accommodated in them
Solution Approach 1:
The plain bearing components are arranged to extend transverse to the sliding surfaces rather than along the thickness direction. This allows the bearing areas to be accommodated within the limited thickness by utilizing the transverse dimension, enabling compact design while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding guide is divided into distinct functional elements (sliding element, actuating element, recess) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for the limited thickness constraint while maintaining the overall functionality of the plain bearing.
3Volume of moving object
If the recess is designed to hold the actuating element, then the space required is minimized, but the projection must be precisely mounted in a form-fitting manner
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is pre-formed on the sliding element with dimensions that correspond to the recess geometry. This preliminary preparation of the form-fitting features allows for precise assembly while minimizing the required recess size, as the components are designed to mate together with predetermined tolerances.
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 solution enables a compact, cost-effective, and easily assembled sliding guide that adjusts play independently at multiple points, ensuring minimal clearance between telescopic parts while preventing unintended displacement during relative movement.
Implementation Method 1
on the side facing away from the first sliding surface there is a first contact surface which is inclined relative to the first sliding surface, and comprises an actuating element which abuts the first contact surface with a second contact surface so that it can be displaced in an actuating direction and in doing so has one of the third contact surface facing away from the second contact surface is supported on the first part
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
In a device with at least two parts (1, 2) that are movable relative to each other, wherein a sliding bearing (3) is arranged on at least one first part (1), the sliding bearing comprising a sliding element (6) on which a first sliding surface (4) and a first contact surface (7) inclined relative to the first sliding surface are formed, and an actuating element (8) that is slidably abuts the first contact surface (7) with a second contact surface (9) and is supported on the first part (1) with a third contact surface (10) pointing away from the second contact surface (9), it is provided, for the use of the sliding guide in a very small gap between the parts (1, 2) that are movable relative to each other, as well as for cost-effective manufacturing and easy assembly, that the first part (1) has a recess (11) outside its area in which the actuating element (8) is supported on the first part with the third contact surface (10).in which a projection (12) arranged on the sliding element (6) is positively locked in the direction of actuation of the displacement of the actuating element (8). (Fig. 1)