Quick-Detachable Drawer Slide Rail With Toothed-Rack Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection structures between drawers and slide rail assemblies in cabinets are complicated and not detachable, making installation difficult and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A quick detachable slide rail and drawer mounting structure featuring a connection member with a toothed rack and a mating connection device set, including a holder block with a second toothed rack and an abutment member, allowing for tool-free connection and prevention of displacement between the drawer and slide rail assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a connection member and mating connection device are used to fasten the drawer to the slide rail assembly, then the connection strength is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into two separate components: a connection member attached to the slide rail assembly and a mating connection device attached to the drawer. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide strong connection through toothed rack engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a traditional fastening mechanism where one component actively fastens to another, this design allows the drawer to be simply placed onto the slide rail assembly where the toothed racks automatically engage through gravity and geometry, inverting the traditional active-passive fastening relationship.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If a traditional connection structure is used between drawer and slide rail assembly, then the connection strength is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complicated installation requiring tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidease of installation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The installation process is inverted from traditional methods by eliminating the need for active fastening actions. The drawer is simply lowered onto the slide rail assembly and the toothed racks automatically engage through gravity, transforming a complex multi-step tool-required process into a simple tool-free operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection mechanism is designed to self-engage without external intervention. When the drawer is placed onto the slide rail assembly, the toothed racks automatically mesh together through their geometric design, providing self-service connection that eliminates the need for tools or complex installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a detachable connection structure is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved by allowing quick attachment and detachment, but the reliability may deteriorate due to potential displacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of detachmentVSAvoidstability against displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The toothed racks are designed with asymmetric tooth geometry where the engagement direction is mechanically locked while the disengagement direction requires deliberate action. This asymmetry ensures that once engaged, the connection reliably prevents displacement in all directions except the intended detachment direction, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex locking mechanisms to prevent detachment, this design allows easy detachment by designing the toothed racks to disengage when the drawer is pulled upward. The reliability against unintended displacement is maintained through the asymmetric tooth geometry while permitting controlled detachment, inverting the traditional approach of requiring active action for both attachment and detachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If multiple connection points are used to prevent all displacement directions, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of displacementVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The toothed rack structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lateral guidance, prevents longitudinal displacement through tooth engagement, and can prevent vertical displacement when designed with appropriate geometry. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate connection points for each displacement direction, maintaining reliability while reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10314396B2Quick detachable slide rail and drawer mounting structure

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 NAN JUEN INT CO LTD

AI summary

A quick detachable slide rail and drawer mounting structure includes a slide rail assembly, a drawer supported on the slide rail assembly, a connection member mounted at a distal end of an outer slide rail of the slide rail assembly, and a mating connection device set. After connection between the drawer and the outer slide rail of the slide rail assembly, a first toothed rack of the connection member is forced into engagement with a second toothed rack of the mating connection device set with an abutment member of the mating connection device set disposed at the bottom side of the connection member.