Telescopic Baton Locking Mechanism for Thin-Wall Tube Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable telescopic batons are complex, material-intensive, and heavy, with locking mechanisms that are prone to wear and difficult to manufacture, leading to reliability issues and inability to produce lightweight batons with thin tubes.
Innovation Solution
The design features internal radial grooves and locking members with lever segments and elastic elements that allow for easy assembly and reliable locking and folding of the baton, using a robust one-piece release rod and conical parts for enhanced strength and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ball bearings and deep grooves are used for locking, then the baton can be held in extended position, but the tubular part walls become thin and strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is divided into two independent parts: a resilient locking part with protrusions that engage with grooves, and a separate release rod. This segmentation allows the locking function to be performed without requiring deep grooves that would weaken the tubular structure, as the protrusions can be positioned optimally for strength while still providing reliable engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using ball bearings that require deep grooves, the invention uses a resilient locking part with protrusions that can be positioned in shallower grooves. The resilient nature of the locking part compensates for the reduced groove depth, maintaining reliable locking while preserving tubular wall strength.
2Reliability
If complex locking mechanisms with multiple parts are used, then reliable locking is achieved, but the baton weight increases and construction becomes material-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient locking part combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides the locking protrusions, contains the resilient material for automatic engagement, and integrates the release mechanism through the release rod. This merging eliminates the need for separate ball bearings, deep grooves, and complex cam surfaces, reducing material usage and weight while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient locking part is designed to be discarded (replaced) rather than repaired when worn, and it recovers its shape through the resilient material property. This approach simplifies the overall mechanism by eliminating wear-prone components like ball bearings and complex cam surfaces, reducing total material requirements.
3Weight of moving object
If thin-walled tubular parts are used to reduce weight, then baton weight is reduced, but the parts become prone to damage and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented from the tubular structure, with the resilient locking part containing the engagement protrusions. This allows the tubular walls to be thin without compromising locking reliability, as the locking protrusions are positioned to minimize stress concentration and can be optimized independently of wall thickness.
4Reliability
If deep grooves are used for ball bearing locking, then locking is achieved, but the grooves require significant depth which reduces available wall material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces ball bearings with a resilient locking part that has protrusions copied from the ball bearing locking concept but adapted to work in shallower grooves. The resilient material allows the protrusions to engage reliably without requiring the same groove depth as rigid ball bearings, preserving wall material.
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 results in a lightweight, high-strength baton that is easy to manufacture and reliable under severe conditions, with a compact locking mechanism enabling production of batons with smaller diameters and improved mechanical integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The segments are provided with an elastic element separating the ends of the first tilting arms with radial projections
Data Source
AI summary
The expandable telescopic baton (1) consists of the handle (2), the central tube (5) with secondary locking member, of the end tube (6) with terminal locking member, of the button (4) and of the release rod (8). The locking member comprises at least two lever segments of the first order (9, 9′), whose first tilting arms (11) bear the radial projections (10) securing the tubes (5, 6) in the extended position, the second tilting arms (12) extend inside the tubes (5, 6), and the tilting means comprising the tilting edge (15) ensures the tilting of the segments (9, 9′) against the inner wall of the tube (5, 6). The release rod (8) passing through the locking tilts over the segments (9, 9′), thus extending radial projections (10) from the internal radial grooves (7, 7′).