Foldable Rod Locking Structure to Prevent Finger Injury
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable rods require manual operation that involves releasing tension in a linkage rope, posing a risk of finger injury during unfolding and folding, and are complex in design due to varying diameters of rod components.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable and retractable rod apparatus featuring an external pipe fitting, a multi-section rod unit with foldable rods of the same diameter, and a positioning unit with a linkage rope, guiding component, and locking mechanism that allows for easy switching between unfolded and folded states without manual tension release, utilizing an elastic component and quick release assembly for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to release linkage rope tension during folding/unfolding, then the rod can be transformed between states, but finger injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A finger protection component is introduced as an intermediary element between the user's finger and the linkage rope tension zone. This component acts as a physical barrier that prevents direct contact between the finger and the high-tension linkage rope during folding and unfolding operations, thereby eliminating the finger injury risk while maintaining manual operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The finger protection component is pre-installed and positioned in advance to cushion or block the potential harmful action before it can occur. By having this protective element in place before the folding/unfolding operation begins, the system prevents the harmful effect (finger injury) from happening in the first place
2Adaptability or versatility
If rod components have varying diameters, then the design can be optimized for specific functions, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod components are designed with uniform diameters throughout their length and across different sections. This homogenization of dimensional parameters simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing standardized production methods and reducing the need for multiple tooling sets, while still achieving functional optimization through the overall structural design and arrangement of components
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 apparatus allows convenient switching between states without finger injury risk and simplifies component manufacturing by using rods of the same diameter, enhancing operational safety and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing an elastic component and quick release assembly for safe operation
Data Source
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AI summary
An adjustable and retractable rod apparatus includes an external pipe fitting, a multi-section rod unit and a positioning unit. The multi-section rod unit includes a first foldable rod and at least one second foldable rod, where the first and second foldable rods have the same outer diameter, and the positioning unit includes a linkage rope, a positioning component and a locking component, which are used to pull the external pipe fitting and the first foldable rod relative to each other. The linkage rope can be dragged, and the locking component and the positioning unit interlocked or separated. When the locking component and the positioning component are interlocked, the external pipe fitting can be connected to the multi-section rod unit in an unfolded state. When the locking component moves away from the positioning component, the first and second foldable rods of the multi-section rod unit are folded and in parallel relative to the external pipe fitting.