Counterbalanced Telescopic Mast for Low-Energy Collapse Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic masts face high energy consumption and the risk of uncontrollable collapse or partial collapse due to faults in their drive systems, particularly in extreme conditions and under dynamic loads.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic mast design featuring elastic elements between sections to equalize weight and friction, with a concealed lifting belt and low-friction guide rails to prevent uncontrollable telescoping, ensuring stability and low energy consumption, even in the event of drive system faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a wire/pulley drive system is used to telescope the mast, then the mast can be raised and held in position, but high energy supply is required to overcome dead weight and frictional forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the anti-weight principle by positioning the heaviest mast section (the third section) at the top of the telescopic mast. This creates a counterbalancing effect where the weight distribution along the mast sections helps offset the dead weight that the drive system must overcome during telescoping operations, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining lifting capacity.
2Length of stationary object
If the mast is designed with multiple telescope sections for high elevation, then the mast can reach great heights, but the risk of uncontrollable collapse increases under single-fault conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mast into multiple telescopic sections that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the mast to maintain its height capability while improving reliability - if one section fails or collapses, the other sections remain structurally intact and can still provide support, preventing complete mast collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates friction elements and mechanical constraints between mast sections that provide passive resistance to unintended movement. These elements are designed to prevent uncontrolled telescoping in advance of any fault occurrence, ensuring that even if a drive component fails, the mast sections cannot collapse uncontrollably due to the pre-built-in mechanical safeguards.
3Use of energy by moving object
If frictional forces are reduced for low energy consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but control over mast position becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs friction elements with variable friction characteristics that can adapt their resistance based on operational requirements. During normal telescoping operations, friction is minimized to reduce energy consumption, but when positioning or holding the mast, the friction elements provide sufficient resistance to maintain position control, achieving both energy efficiency and operational control.
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 design minimizes power consumption and prevents mast collapse or uncontrollable extension, allowing for high-speed operation and reliable use in various conditions, including extreme loads and manual operation, while reducing maintenance and technical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
Elastic elements/lift actuators are fitted between the individual mast sections, where the lifting capacity of which has been adjusted so that these equalize the weight of the sum of the useful load and of the sections of the mast which are above the elastic element
Implementation Method 2
The drive system alone will thus only have to overcome frictional forces between the individual mast sections
Data Source
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AI summary
A telescopic mast is described comprising at least one or more telescope members (1-6) with parallel walls. One of two adjoining telescope sections (1-6) are thinner than the others of the two adjoining telescope sections (1-6), so that a telescope section (1-6) can be passed respectively into and out of a telescope section (1-6) positioned round it in a telescope member (1-6). This telescope section (1-6) positioned round it can be passed into and out of a further telescope section (1-6) in a further telescope member (1-6). Elastic elements/actuators (C) are fitted between the mast sections (1-6) if the lifting capacity is adjusted just so that they can equalize/bear the load/ the dead weight so that energy will only be supplied to the drive to overcome frictional forces when the telescopic mast is to be moved in and out. Movement of the telescopic mast is provided by means of electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically and/or manually driven wires/belts (A, B) that run inside/between the mast sections (1-6). Between each of the two adjoining telescope sections (1-6), at least one distance member (guide rail/slide) is provided in a telescope member (1-6), arranged to maintain a distance between the telescope sections (1-6) and control their mutual movement, including preventing rotation between mast sections (1-6) along the longitudinal axis of the mast. The drive element and elastic elements/actuators (C) may be fitted in such a way that space is left for cable (D) routing inside the mast.