Telescopic Rail Latch and Friction Assembly for Compact Force Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for telescopic rails and linear guides require separate systems for locking and adjusting kinetic force, leading to complexity, high cost, and space inefficiency, as well as limited adaptability across different rail systems.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing that integrates a latching element and latching force spring, along with a friction element and friction force spring, which can be adjusted independently to provide releasable locking and adjustable kinetic force, using a compact design suitable for various rail systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate systems are used for locking and force adjustment, then each function can be optimized independently, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking system and force adjustment system into a single integrated device. The housing contains both the latching element with latching force spring and the friction element with friction force spring, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall complexity while maintaining independent optimization of each function
Solution Approach 2:
The single device performs multiple functions: it provides releasable locking through the latching element and simultaneously enables force adjustment through the friction element. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed while maintaining the ability to independently optimize locking and force adjustment characteristics
2Reliability
If separate systems are used for locking and force adjustment, then each function can be optimized independently, but manufacturing and assembly costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the locking and force adjustment functions into a single device housed in one housing, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration lowers manufacturing and assembly costs while maintaining the ability to independently optimize each function's performance
3Reliability
If separate systems are used for locking and force adjustment, then each function can be optimized independently, but the space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both the locking mechanism and force adjustment mechanism within a single housing, significantly reducing the space required compared to separate systems. The compact design allows both functions to coexist in close proximity while maintaining their independent optimization and effectiveness
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate systems are used for locking and force adjustment, then each function can be optimized independently, but the number of individual parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the number of individual parts by combining the locking and force adjustment functions into a single integrated device. This reduction in part count simplifies assembly and reduces the potential for assembly errors while maintaining the adaptability needed for different rail system configurations
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 device effectively combines locking and force adjustment functions in a single component, reducing space requirements, manufacturing costs, and allowing independent force definition, while maintaining stability and adaptability across different rail systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one latching force spring, which is supported on the housing and the latching element can press biased against the second of the rail elements
Implementation Method 2
at least one friction element and at least one friction force spring, which is supported on the housing and the friction element can press biased against the second of the mutually movable mounted rail elements
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for detachably connecting two rail elements of a telescoping rail or a linear guide, mounted in such a way as to move in relation to each other, and for adjusting the motivity to be applied for the movement. Said device comprises a housing (1) fixed to a first of said rail elements (11), at least one catch element (5), at least one catch force spring (4) which is supported on the housing and prestresses the catch element (5) against the second of the rail elements, at least one friction element (7), and at least one friction force spring (6) which is supported on the housing and presses the friction element (7) against the second of the rail elements (10) in a pre-stressed manner.