Storage Chassis Bi-Directional Sliding Rails for Stable Maintenance Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional storage devices face challenges with long pull-out lengths of installation frames, leading to potential toppling, increased torque, and high manufacturing costs, which hinder space utilization and maintenance efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A chassis design with bi-directional sliding rails and limiting assemblies allows the installation frame to be pulled out from both ends, reducing the maximum pull-out length and ensuring stable fastening, thereby minimizing torque and manufacturing costs while improving space utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the installation frame is pulled out from one end of the chassis body, then the maintenance operation is simplified, but the pull-out length becomes excessively long, generating large torque and potential toppling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance operationVSAvoidpull-out length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The installation frame is divided into two separable parts: a first installation frame that slides out from the first end and a second installation frame that slides out from the second end. This segmentation allows maintenance operations to be performed on smaller, more manageable sections rather than requiring the entire installation frame to be pulled out completely, thereby reducing the pull-out length and associated torque while maintaining ease of access for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the installation frame is pulled out completely from the chassis body, then all components are accessible for maintenance, but the torque on sliding rails increases and manufacturing costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent accessibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic limiting assemblies that can transition between locked and unlocked states. The first limiting assembly prevents the first installation frame from sliding out completely during normal operation, while the second limiting assembly controls the second installation frame. This dynamic control allows components to be accessible when needed while preventing excessive pull-out that would increase torque and manufacturing costs, achieving a balance between repairability and manufacturing economy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the installation frame is allowed to slide out freely, then maintenance is easier, but the structural stability of the chassis deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance easeVSAvoidchassis stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The limiting assemblies are pre-configured to counteract the tendency of the installation frames to slide out excessively. The first limiting assembly, associated with the first sliding rail, and the second limiting assembly, associated with the second sliding rail, are designed to engage before complete pull-out occurs, providing preliminary resistance that maintains chassis stability while still allowing sufficient movement for maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4134786B1Case and storage device
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4134786B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4134786B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4134786B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a chassis and a storage device. The chassis includes a chassis body and an installation frame slidably installed in the chassis body by using a sliding assembly, and the installation frame can slide out from two ends of the chassis body. The sliding assembly includes a first sliding rail, a second sliding rail, and a first limiting assembly, the first sliding rail is fastened to the chassis body, the second sliding rail is fastened to the installation frame, and the first sliding rail and the second sliding rail are slidably assembled. The first limiting assembly includes a first clamping part and a second clamping part that fit with each other, a first drive component that drives the first clamping part to be clamped with the second clamping part, and a second drive component that drives the first clamping part to be detached from the second clamping part. The first clamping part is disposed on the first sliding rail, and the second clamping part is disposed on the second sliding rail. The first drive component can drive the first clamping part to be clamped with the second clamping part, to fasten the installation frame to the chassis body in a first direction. The second drive component can drive the first clamping part to be detached from the second clamping part. The first direction is a sliding direction of the sliding assembly.