Three-Element Telescopic Rail with Single-Drive Traction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic rails with power-assisted or motor-driven pull-out or push-in movements are either limited to two rail elements, require high design effort, and necessitate larger installation spaces and higher production costs.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic rail system comprising a first, second, and third rail element, where the first and second rail elements are linearly displaceable, and the third rail element is coupled to the second rail element via a traction element, allowing for power-assisted or motor-driven movement of three or more rail elements with a minimal number of components, reduced design space, and cost-efficient manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If power-assisted or motor-driven telescopic rails are designed for three or more rail elements using conventional methods, then the pull-out or push-in movement can be achieved, but the design effort, installation space, production costs, and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The single drive device mounted on the first rail element serves multiple functions: it directly moves the second rail element relative to the first, and simultaneously moves the third rail element relative to the second through the mediation of the traction element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drive devices for each rail element pair, thereby reducing device complexity and component count while maintaining power-assisted or motor-driven automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The traction element acts as an intermediary between the drive device and the third rail element. The drive device generates movement of the second rail element, and the traction element transmits this movement to the third rail element. This intermediary mechanism allows a single drive device to control multiple rail elements without requiring direct connection to each one, simplifying the overall system design.
2Extent of automation
If conventional drive integration methods are used in existing telescopic rail designs, then the drive can be incorporated, but the installation space and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive device is merged with the existing first rail element structure, utilizing the available space within the telescopic rail assembly. By integrating the drive device into the first rail element rather than adding it as a separate external component, the installation space is minimized while achieving full drive integration for power-assisted or motor-driven operation of multiple rail elements.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate drive devices are used for each rail element pair, then each rail element can be independently controlled, but the production costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single drive device is designed to provide universal control over multiple rail elements through the traction element mechanism. While the third rail element's movement is derived from the second rail element's movement, the system maintains coordinated control of all rail elements without requiring multiple independent drive devices, thereby reducing production costs while preserving operational control.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the invention, a telescopic rail is proposed, having a first rail element, a second rail element, a third rail element, and a drive device, wherein the first rail element and the second rail element are mounted together such that the first rail element and the second rail element are linearly displaceable relative to one another in and counter to a pull-out direction, wherein the third rail element and the second rail element are mounted together such that the third rail element and the second rail element are linearly displaceable relative to one another in and counter to the pull-out direction, wherein the drive device is mounted on the first rail element or is mountable on a holding element connectable to the first rail element, wherein the drive device is configured such that, in an operation of the telescopic rail, the drive device causes a linear movement of the second rail element relative to the first rail element in or counter to the pull-out direction, wherein the telescopic rail comprises a traction element, wherein the traction element is fixed to the first rail element and to the third rail element, and wherein the traction element is guided on the second rail element in a direction parallel to the pull-out direction such that a displacement movement of the second rail element relative to the first rail element leads to a displacement movement of the third rail element relative to the second rail element.