Tray Rack Teeth Reduce Frictional Noise in Stackable Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet stackable devices produce unpleasant noise due to frictional contact between planar parts of the trays, which is a persistent issue in their design.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a first tray and a second tray with rack teeth along the slidable direction, allowing for line or point contact instead of plane-to-plane contact, reducing frictional noise by using angled rack teeth that offset thrust forces and guide the second tray smoothly between positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If planar parts of the first tray and second tray are used for contact, then the trays can slide smoothly, but frictional contact produces unpleasant squeaky high-frequency noise
Solution Approach 1:
The planar contact surface is segmented into multiple rack teeth along the sliding direction. This segmentation transforms continuous planar contact into discrete point/line contact at the rack teeth tips, reducing the contact area and frictional noise while maintaining sliding functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The rack teeth are designed with curved sliding surfaces that guide the sliding motion. The curved geometry allows for smoother transition and distribution of contact forces, reducing impact and frictional noise during tray movement
2Object-generated harmful factors
If rack teeth are introduced to reduce noise, then frictional contact is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rack teeth are integrated directly into the tray structures without requiring separate noise-reduction components. The first tray includes rack teeth on its sliding surface, and the second tray includes corresponding rack teeth, merging the noise-reduction function into the existing tray geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The rack teeth serve multiple functions: they guide the sliding motion, distribute contact forces, reduce frictional noise, and provide structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized components
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet stackable device includes a sheet stackable plane. The sheet stackable device includes a first tray and a second tray, each of which is formed in a shape of a flat plate. The first tray includes a first contact part. The second tray is slidable along a slidable direction between a first position, in which the second tray overlaps the first tray, and a second position, in which the second tray is dawn out of the first tray. The second tray includes a second contact part, which is slidable on the first contact part. At least one of the first contact part and the second contact part includes a rack with rack teeth, which are aligned along the slidable direction. An upper plane of the first tray and an upper plane of the second tray in the second position form at least a part of the stackable plane.