Arc-Shaped Elastic Locking Element for Telescopic Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blocking devices for telescopic tubes are difficult to assemble correctly and suffer from reduced reliability with repeated use, often failing to effectively immobilize tubes against rotation and translation while maintaining easy and visual control of the blockage.
Innovation Solution
A blocking element made of elastically deformable material in a bent arc shape with recessed and projecting parts on its longitudinal ends, featuring a crenellated transverse edge and a hemispherical actuation button, is introduced into the smaller tube section to securely lock telescopic tubes, ensuring easy assembly and reliable repeated use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a blocking element with spring and actuating button is used to lock telescopic tubes, then easy operation and visual control of blockage are achieved, but assembly becomes difficult and reliability decreases with repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component from the blocking element, extracting the problematic element that caused assembly difficulties and reliability issues. The blocking element becomes a simple elastic strip without internal springs, eliminating the complexity of assembling and maintaining the spring mechanism while retaining the elastic return function.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking element is segmented into distinct functional zones: recessed parts for engagement with tube holes, projecting parts for visual indication, and a central elastic region. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while simplifying the overall assembly process.
2Extent of automation
If a blocking element is designed with through holes and spring mechanism, then automatic blocking is achieved, but assembly correctness becomes difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking element is designed to be self-assembling through its elastic properties. When inserted into the tube, the elastic strip automatically deforms and engages with the tube holes without requiring precise alignment or complex assembly procedures. The elastic nature allows the component to self-adjust and secure itself in the correct position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the blocking element from a rigid assembled component (strip + spring + button) to a flexible elastic strip that can change its deformation parameters. This allows the blocking element to adapt to slight variations in tube dimensions and hole positions, ensuring reliable assembly without precise tolerances.
3Ease of operation
If the blocking element uses repeated bending to return to position, then easy operation is maintained, but the material degrades and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple recessed parts and projecting parts that can engage with corresponding features in the tube at different positions. This creates multiple engagement points along the tube length, allowing the blocking element to be reused many times as the tubes are extended and retracted, distributing the wear across multiple engagement cycles rather than a single repeated bending motion.
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 solution provides a secure and reliable locking mechanism that withstands repeated use, effectively immobilizing tubes against both rotation and translation with easy and visual control, using a plastic material like polyoxymethylene for durability and resistance to deformation.
Implementation Method 1
the blocking element is made of an elastically deformable material in bending and follows an arc shape
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A locking element (1) for two telescopic tubes, formed by a strip of material (2) carrying an actuating button (3) that locks the tubes by passing through a hole in each tube, characterized in that the locking element (1) is made of a material elastically deformable in bending and has an arc shape with the two longitudinal ends of the locking element (1) facing each other, said ends having, in their transverse edge (4a, 5a), at least one recessed portion (4b, 5b) and at least one projecting portion (4c, 5c), with each of the recessed portions (4b, 5b) and projecting portions (4c, 5c) of one end facing respectively a projecting portion (5c, 4c) and a recessed portion (5b, 4b) of the other end, the button (3) being located at the top of the locking element (1), opposite side to said extremities.