Thin Slide Assembly With Locking Rail for Narrow Chassis Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slide assemblies face challenges in installing movable and support rails in narrow gaps due to their thickness, which prevents them from being used in small spaces, and the balls of the aid-sliding member restrict the movement, making it difficult to remove or install chassis efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A slide assembly design featuring a first slide member with lips and a connecting portion, a second slide member with slide segments, and an aid-sliding member with balls, where the third slide member is thin and can be easily installed and removed, utilizing a positioning device with an elastic member and engaging member to facilitate movement and locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional movable rails and support rails are designed with grooves for ball accommodation, then the balls can provide rolling support, but the rails become too thick to be installed in the narrow gap between chassis and rack posts
Solution Approach 1:
The aid-sliding member is divided into a first aid-sliding member with balls for rolling support and a second aid-sliding member without balls for thin-profile sliding. This segmentation allows the rolling support function to be provided by only one component while the other component can be made thin for installation in narrow gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The second aid-sliding member acts as an intermediary component that transfers motion between the movable rail and support rail without requiring balls. It includes a groove that receives the ball from the first aid-sliding member, allowing the ball to engage with the movable rail while the second aid-sliding member itself remains thin.
2Reliability
If balls are used as rolling medium between movable rail and support rail, then smooth sliding is achieved, but precise alignment is required making installation and removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding function is segmented into two parts: the first aid-sliding member with balls provides rolling support when engaged, while the second aid-sliding member provides ball-less sliding when the ball is disengaged. This allows easy installation by simply pushing the chassis without precise alignment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two modes: when the ball engages with the movable rail, rolling support is provided for smooth sliding; when the ball is disengaged, the second aid-sliding member provides direct sliding for easy installation and removal. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between smooth sliding and ease of operation.
3Volume of moving object
If the gap between chassis and rack posts is minimized to maximize chassis space, then space utilization is improved, but the movable rails cannot be installed due to insufficient space for their thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The aid-sliding mechanism is segmented into two parts, with the second aid-sliding member designed as a thin component without balls. This thin profile allows it to be installed in the narrow gap between chassis and rack posts, enabling the use of minimized gap while still providing sliding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The second aid-sliding member is designed with a thin profile similar to a thin film structure, allowing it to fit in narrow spaces. It includes a groove that accommodates the ball from the first aid-sliding member, providing rolling support when needed while maintaining a thin overall profile for installation in minimal gaps.
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
Enables the installation of thin movable rails in small gaps, allowing easy removal and installation of chassis, while maintaining precise positioning and smooth operation of the slide members, enhancing usability in compact spaces.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member connected to the second slide member... By the elasticity of the elastic member, the first end of the positioning member is urged to extend into the slot
Implementation Method 2
The balls are movably connected with the first and second bearing retaining portions... The first and second aid-sliding members use balls as a medium for rolling
Data Source
AI summary
A slide assembly includes a first slide member having a guiding base and a lock portion, a second slide member having a first slide segment and a second slide segment, a third slide member movably mounted on the second slide segment, an aid-sliding member slidably connected between the first slide member and the first slide segment, and a positioning device connected to the second slide member. The positioning device includes an elastic member and a positioning member which is movable by a force of the elastic member, so that two ends of the positioning member are respectively located corresponding to the guiding base and the third slide member. The positioning member is engaged with the lock portion when the second slide member is moved relative to the first slide member, and is disengaged from the lock portion when the third slide member is retracted relative to the second slide member.