Locking Retainer for Slidable Supports with Lateral Pressure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slidable support structures, such as telescoping channels, lack an efficient mechanism to securely lock at a fixed length, complicating installation and providing inadequate structural support.
Innovation Solution
A locking retainer system comprising a strap with side arms, locking arms, and pins that engage apertures on support members, allowing for lateral pressure to lock the slidable support at a desired length by aligning pins with apertures, providing both structural support and locking functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking retainer with pins and arms is used to secure slidable support at fixed length, then the reliability of locking is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking retainer combines multiple functional elements (side arms, locking arms, locking pins, and elastic members) into a single integrated device that simultaneously provides support, locking, and release functions. The strap with side arms and locking arms forms a unified structure that engages with the slidable support members through multiple locking apertures, achieving reliable locking without requiring separate hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism employs elastic members (springs) that automatically engage the locking pins with the locking apertures when the retainer is installed on the slidable support. The elastic force naturally pushes the locking pins into the apertures to secure the support at the desired length, and the same elastic force enables easy release when lateral pressure is applied, eliminating the need for additional tools or complex release mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If lateral pressure is applied to lock the support, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking retainer is designed with elastic members that provide dynamic engagement with the locking apertures. The elastic force allows the locking pins to flex and adapt to slight variations in aperture positioning, enabling reliable locking even when manufacturing tolerances exist. The dynamic nature of the elastic engagement means that lateral pressure during installation naturally guides the pins into the apertures, compensating for minor alignment imperfections.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking retainer can be used with a slidable support that includes a two support member with respective sets of locking apertures, with the two support members slidably engaging each other to define a support profile. A strap can at least partly bound an internal area and can support a locking pin that extends into the internal area. The strap can have a locking configuration in which, with the slidable support disposed within the internal area, the locking pin extends into two of the locking apertures to lock the slidable support at a fixed length. A locking retainer can be installed by disposing the slidable support within the internal area, aligning two locking apertures of the slidable support, and applying lateral pressure to a side arm of the locking retainer to seat a locking pin in the aligned locking apertures.