Telescopic Rail Locking and Friction Control in One Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic rails and linear guides require separate systems for locking linear movement and adjusting motivity, which are complex, expensive, and occupy a lot of space, making them unsuitable for versatile applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact apparatus with a housing, locking element, locking force spring, friction element, and friction force spring that can be integrated into a single component, allowing for independent adjustment of locking and motivity forces, and can be easily manufactured and assembled for various rail systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate systems are used for locking and motivity adjustment, then locking reliability and motivity control can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking system and motivity adjustment system into a single integrated apparatus. The housing contains both the locking element with locking force spring and the friction element with friction force spring, allowing both functions to be performed by one component assembly rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The single apparatus performs multiple functions: it provides locking through the locking element that engages with locking openings, and it adjusts motivity through the friction element that creates frictional resistance. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
2Reliability
If separate systems are used for locking and motivity adjustment, then functional requirements are met, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the locking and motivity adjustment functions into a single apparatus housed in one housing, the patent significantly reduces the space required compared to having two separate systems. The compact integrated design allows both functions to coexist in a small volume.
3Reliability
If separate systems are used for locking and motivity adjustment, then locking and motivity functions are achieved, but manufacturing and assembly cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated apparatus reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. Instead of producing and assembling separate locking systems and motivity adjustment systems, the patent produces a single apparatus with fewer individual components, reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal design of the apparatus that performs both locking and motivity adjustment in one component reduces the overall bill of materials and manufacturing steps compared to producing two specialized systems, thereby lowering production costs.
4Stability of the object's composition
If friction force is increased to improve motivity control, then movement stability improves, but ease of displacement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the friction force adjustable through the adjustable friction force spring, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to different operational requirements. The friction element can be positioned at different locations along the rail element, and the spring force can be modified, enabling the system to transition between high stability (higher friction) and high ease of displacement (lower friction) as needed.
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 apparatus effectively combines the functions of locking and adjusting motivity in a single component, reducing space requirements and manufacturing costs, while allowing for independent control of locking and movement forces, and is adaptable to different types of telescopic rails and linear guides.
Implementation Method 1
at least one locking element and at least one locking force spring which is supported against the housing and which exerts a locking force on the locking element in biased relationship 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 against the housing and which presses the friction element in biased relationship against the second of the rail elements
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for releasably locking two rail elements (10, 11), which are supported displaceably relative to each other, of a telescopic rail or a linear guide and for adjusting the motivity to be applied for the displacement, comprising a housing (1) which is fastened to a first one of the rail elements (11) which are supported displaceably relative to each other, at least one locking element (5) and at least one locking force spring (4) which is supported against the housing and biases the locking element (5) against the second of the rail elements (10) which are supported displaceably relative to each other, at least one friction element (7) and at least one friction force spring (6) which is supported against the housing and which presses the friction element (7) in biased relationship against the second of the rail elements (10) which are supported displaceably relative to each other.