Length Adjustment Device with Ball-Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional length adjustment devices for products like mountain climbing sticks are cumbersome, require significant effort to operate, and are not easily usable by females or elderly individuals, making it inconvenient to adjust the height as desired.
Innovation Solution
A length adjustment device featuring a cap with a press button, a main pole with a fixation shaft and lever shaft, ball covers, and extension poles with latching grooves and springs, allowing for easy length adjustment and locking with minimal force using a single press button, and adjustable straps for convenient use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional length adjustment devices use nut tightening mechanisms, then the locking force is sufficient, but the operation requires much effort and is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional nut tightening mechanism with a ball-and-socket locking system. A pressing button directly pushes a locking ball into engagement holes on the extension pole, eliminating the need for rotational tightening. This substitution reduces operation effort while maintaining sufficient locking force through the ball's direct mechanical engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking ball serves as an intermediary element between the pressing button and the extension pole. Instead of direct hand-tightening of a nut, the ball mediates the locking action by being pushed into engagement holes, providing both force transmission and positional locking with minimal user effort.
2Reliability
If conventional length adjustment devices use multiple components for locking, then the locking reliability is high, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple locking components into an integrated ball-and-socket system. The locking ball, pressing button, and engagement holes work as a unified mechanism, replacing separate nuts, bolts, and locking plates. This consolidation maintains reliability through robust mechanical engagement while reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking ball serves multiple functions: it provides locking engagement, transmits pressing force, and indicates locked status. The engagement holes on the extension pole serve both as positioning features and locking surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the number of dedicated components needed, simplifying the overall structure.
3Reliability
If conventional length adjustment devices require two hands for operation, then the locking is secure, but the ease of operation decreases for single-handed use
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing button mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-actuating. A single hand can press the button, which automatically pushes the locking ball into engagement holes, securing the extension pole in place. The mechanism serves itself by converting the pressing motion directly into locking action without requiring a second hand to manipulate separate components.
4Reliability
If conventional length adjustment devices take long time to adjust, then the locking is thorough, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing button mechanism allows the user to quickly push the locking ball into engagement holes in a single swift motion, skipping the time-consuming rotational tightening process. The extension pole can be rapidly adjusted by pressing the button and releasing, with the locking action occurring almost instantaneously when the ball engages the holes.
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
Enables smooth and quick length adjustment with increased locking force, easy operation, and improved usability, allowing for flexible length adjustment regardless of hand position, suitable for various environments and user groups.
Implementation Method 1
an upper return spring that is disposed in the fixation shaft and is disposed between the first ball lever portion and the upper ball cover to return the first ball lever portion
Implementation Method 2
a lower return spring that is disposed between the lower ball cover and the second ball lever portion to return the second ball lever portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A length adjustment device according to an exemplary embodiment forms a latching groove on an interior circumference of a first extension pole, which is configured to be separately assembled, and there is an effect that a manufacturing becomes easy and a mass production is possible.