Compact telescopic extension for an electric household appliance and associated electric household appliance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telescopic extensions for electric household appliances are either too long in the closed configuration or too bulky, lacking compactness and precision due to the location of the constraining device and sleeve, which affects usability and stability.

Innovation Solution

A telescopic extension design with a reduced sleeve length, featuring a constraining device with a guided movement via an inclined plane and side walls for stability, and an actuating device with a slider and elastic means, allowing for a more compact closed configuration while maintaining extended length, and enhancing precision and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the telescopic extension uses a conventional sleeve and constraining device located near the input end, then the locking mechanism is simple, but the closed configuration length is excessive and compactness is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosed configuration lengthVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the locking mechanism from the axial direction (near the input end) to the radial direction (at the output end of the outer tube). This dimensional change allows the constraining device to engage notches on the inner tube's outer surface, enabling compact axial folding while maintaining stable radial locking. The slider moves radially to engage/disengage the constraining device from notches, achieving compactness without excessive locking mechanism complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the telescopic extension uses a conventional locking mechanism, then the structure is simple, but precision and stability during operation are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking precisionVSAvoidguiding structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a slider as an intermediary component between the actuating device and the constraining device. The slider translates actuating force into precise radial movement of the constraining device, ensuring accurate engagement with the notches. The guiding structure within the sleeve constrains the slider's movement path, providing precision while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple through functional decomposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the telescopic extension is made more compact in closed configuration, then packaging and logistics improve, but the extended length may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosed configuration volumeVSAvoidextended configuration length
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic extension is divided into segmented notches along the inner tube's outer surface, allowing the constraining device to lock at multiple discrete positions. This segmentation enables the tube to fold compactly in the closed configuration while maintaining the ability to extend to the required length. The multiple notches provide intermediate locking positions that facilitate both compact storage and full extension capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 achieves a more compact closed configuration and increased extended length, improving logistical and cost advantages, and providing better precision and stability during operation.

Implementation Method 1

elastic means, wherein the slider cooperates with the constraining device under the action of the elastic means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3210515B1Compact telescopic extension for an electric household appliance and associated electric household appliance
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 OMEC SPA
  • EP3210515B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3210515B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3210515B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

A telescopic extension, typically for an electric household appliance, is described, said telescopic extension comprising: an inner tube, an outer tube, wherein said inner tube and said outer tube are slidable telescopically relative to one another, wherein said inner tube comprises, on an outer surface thereof, a plurality of deformations of predetermined shape; a sleeve fitted inside said outer tube, at one of its ends; a constraining device configured to lock sliding of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube, when said constraining device is at least partially engaged in one of said deformations; a slider and elastic means, wherein said slider cooperates with said constraining device under the action of said elastic means; and an actuating device operatively connected to said slider, wherein said slider comprises a guiding device for providing a guided movement between said slider and said constraining device.