Rack-and-Gear Extensible Rod Locking for Stable Cargo Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extensible rods with locking handles for goods are bulky, heavy, costly to produce, and have poor stability and mobility, leading to reliability issues in securing goods during transportation.
Innovation Solution
The extensible rod with locking handle features a telescopically connected outer and inner tube, a stamped rack and gear for improved mobility and cost-effectiveness, and a centralized lock catch assembly for enhanced strength and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If cast steel rack and toothed handle are used for the extensible rod, then the locking strength is improved, but the device becomes large, heavy and costly to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from cast steel to aluminum alloy, reducing density and weight while maintaining structural integrity. The aluminum alloy material allows the rack and handle to achieve sufficient locking strength with significantly reduced mass compared to traditional cast steel construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs aluminum alloy as a composite material that combines lightweight properties with adequate strength characteristics. This material selection resolves the contradiction by providing a balance between locking strength requirements and weight reduction goals, avoiding the excessive weight of solid cast steel while maintaining functional reliability.
2Strength
If cast steel rack and toothed handle are used for the extensible rod, then the locking strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and environmental harm is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from cast steel production to aluminum alloy fabrication, which typically involves less energy-intensive processes and generates fewer environmental pollutants. This material substitution reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the necessary locking strength through optimized aluminum alloy structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts aluminum alloy components that are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly compared to cast steel. The aluminum alloy allows for easier manufacturing with lower material costs and reduced environmental impact, providing an economically viable alternative that meets strength requirements without the high costs and environmental harm associated with cast steel production.
3Ease of operation
If the rack is cantilevered and higher than the outer tube side, then the extensible rod can function, but the rack has poor mobility and the rod becomes large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the rack inside the outer tube rather than cantilevering it externally. This nested configuration allows the rack to be housed within the rod structure, reducing the overall length and weight of the extensible rod while maintaining full functionality. The rack can still engage with the toothed handle effectively while being compactly integrated into the rod assembly.
4Device complexity
If lock catch and button are arranged on a side face of the rod, then the structure is simple, but the stress is unilateral affecting strength and the lock is easily touched by mistake
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the lock catch and button at the center of the rod rather than on the side face. This centralized symmetric positioning creates balanced stress distribution during locking operations, preventing unilateral stress concentration that would compromise strength. The central location also reduces accidental activation since it is less accessible during normal handling compared to side-mounted controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional side-face mounting arrangement by placing the lock catch and button at the center of the rod. This inversion transforms the stress distribution from unilateral to balanced, improving structural strength during locking. It also enhances reliability by making the locking mechanism less susceptible to accidental activation during transport and handling operations.
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
This design results in a more stable, reliable, and cost-effective solution for securing goods, with improved mobility and reduced risk of damage or accidental unlocking.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member disposed inside the hollow seat and capable of driving the lock catch to move between a locked state and an unlocked state
Implementation Method 2
a gear with a plurality of teeth connected to the handle, the first end of the outer tube has an opening on a top surface of the outer tube, the teeth pass through the opening to engage with the rack on the inner tube
Implementation Method 3
the teeth pass through the opening to engage with the rack on the inner tube, so that the handle and the gear are capable of driving the inner tube to extend out from or retract into the outer tube
Data Source
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AI summary
An extensible rod with locking handle for goods comprises an inner tube, an outer tube, a rack, a hollow seat, an operating assembly and a lock catch assembly. The rack is disposed on the inner tube inside the outer tube, the operating assembly comprising a rotatable handle and a gear with a plurality of teeth connected to the handle is used for adjusting extension length of the inner tube, the teeth on the gear pass through the outer tube to engage with the rack on the inner tube, so that the handle and the gear are capable of driving the inner tube to extend out from or retract into the outer tube, the lock catch assembly is capable of locking or unlocking the handle. Under this design, the stability is high, and it is difficult to damage. Meanwhile, the defects of the existing extensible rod with locking handle for goods are effectively solved.