Auto-Locking Telescoping Mast Assembly for Safer Remote Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
As payload capacities and weights of pneumatic telescoping masts increase, manual locking and unlocking of mast sections pose safety concerns and inefficiencies, particularly in extending and retracting the mast.
Innovation Solution
An auto-lock assembly for telescoping masts with pre-loaded latch pins and levers that automatically engage and disengage between tube sections, allowing for remote operation and reducing manual intervention, utilizing guide plates and angled bearing surfaces to facilitate locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual locking and unlocking mechanisms are used in telescoping masts, then the mast can be extended and retracted, but user safety deteriorates due to the need for manual contact with heavy mast sections
Solution Approach 1:
The latch pin automatically engages with the tube section when the mast is extended and automatically disengages when retracted, eliminating the need for manual locking operations. The system serves itself by using the mast's own movement to trigger the locking and unlocking actions, thereby improving user safety while maintaining operational functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded latch pin is pre-positioned and pre-loaded to automatically engage with the tube section's locking surface before the mast reaches its fully extended position. This preliminary action ensures the mast is securely locked without requiring manual intervention at the extended position, reducing user exposure to heavy moving parts
2Device complexity
If manual locking mechanisms are used, then the mast structure can be simple, but the time required for extension and retraction increases due to manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism automatically performs both locking and unlocking functions based on the mast's extension and retraction movements. The latch pin engages automatically during extension and disengages automatically during retraction, eliminating the time-consuming manual operations while maintaining relatively simple mechanical construction
Solution Approach 2:
The latch pin is designed to be dynamically responsive to the mast's position and movement. The spring-loaded mechanism allows the latch pin to automatically adjust its position, engaging when the mast extends and disengaging when retracted, thereby reducing operation time without requiring complex control systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If auto-lock assembly is implemented, then user safety and operation speed improve, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The auto-lock assembly uses the mast's own movement to trigger the locking and unlocking actions. The spring-loaded latch pin automatically engages and disengages based on the extension and retraction movements, eliminating the need for external actuators, motors, or complex control systems. This self-service approach improves safety while maintaining relatively simple mechanical construction
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded latch pin acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates the mast's linear movement into automatic locking and unlocking actions. This simple mechanical intermediary converts the motion of the mast sections into the engagement and disengagement of the latch, achieving auto-locking functionality without requiring complex control systems or additional power sources
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 auto-lock assembly enhances user safety by automating the locking and unlocking process, reducing the time required for extension and retraction, and minimizing manual contact, while maintaining the mast in a locked position with positive contact between collar components.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded latch pin movable between a locked position and an unlocked position
Implementation Method 2
The first latch pin is pre-loaded toward a locked position with a second tube section
Data Source
AI summary
An auto-lock assembly for a telescoping mast having a plurality of telescoping tube sections configurable between a retracted position and an extended position is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein is a telescoping mast, which includes a plurality of telescoping mast sections including a base tube, an intermediate tube, and an end tube, the intermediate and end tube adapted to be telescopically received in the base tube, a base auto-lock having a collar for mounting to the base tube, and an intermediate auto-lock having a collar for mounting to the intermediate tube. Further disclosed herein is an auto-lock for use with a telescoping mast having a plurality of tube sections.