Retractable Mast Using Interlocking Flexible Bands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current retractable mast technologies lack a lightweight, portable, and reliable mechanism for extending and retracting flexible structures to support communication and sensor devices, particularly in mobile surveillance and communication systems, where stability and compact storage are essential.
Innovation Solution
A method using at least three flexible bands with interlocking teeth and tabs, along with a feed mechanism and engagement rotor, to form a rigid mast structure that can be extended and retracted, featuring a primary and secondary locking mechanism to ensure stability and compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If flexible bands are used to form the retractable mast, then the mast becomes lightweight and portable, but the mast loses structural stability and rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The mast is divided into multiple flexible bands (typically three) that can be independently stored on spools and deployed as needed. Each band is a separate segment that interlocks with adjacent bands through teeth and tabs, allowing the mast to be lightweight yet stable when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible bands are stored in a nested configuration on spools when retracted, with each band coiled around its own spool. During deployment, the bands are drawn out from their nested storage state to form the extended mast structure, achieving compact storage and stable deployment.
Solution Approach 3:
The mast transitions dynamically between a retracted state (bands stored on spools) and an extended state (bands formed into a rigid structure). The feed mechanism enables this dynamic transformation by drawing bands together to extend the mast and reversing to retract it, allowing the system to adapt between portability and stability requirements.
2Reliability
If interlocking teeth and tabs are used to lock the bands, then the mast achieves stability under adverse conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism merges two functions into a single integrated system: the teeth provide primary interlocking between adjacent bands for structural stability, while the tabs provide secondary locking to prevent unintended disengagement. This combined approach achieves high reliability without requiring separate complex locking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking teeth and tabs are designed to automatically engage and lock when the bands are drawn together by the feed mechanism, without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The mechanical interlocking occurs passively as the bands are assembled, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Strength
If multiple flexible bands are drawn together to form a rigid structure, then the mast can support communication and sensor devices, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual process of assembling multiple bands is replaced by an automated feed mechanism that draws the bands together using a rotor and drive slots. This mechanical substitution transforms a complex manual operation into an automated process, maintaining mast strength while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed mechanism acts as an intermediary between the control system and the flexible bands. It translates rotational motion of the rotor into linear drawing motion that assembles the bands, simplifying the operation required to deploy the mast while ensuring proper alignment and engagement of the interlocking features.
4Volume of moving object
If the mast is designed to be retractable for compact storage, then portability is improved, but the reliability of maintaining stability under adverse conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mast system dynamically transitions between compact storage (retracted) and stable deployment (extended) states. When extended, the feed mechanism draws the bands together and engages the interlocking teeth and tabs to ensure stability under adverse conditions. When retracted, the bands return to their compact nested configuration on spools, achieving portability without compromising stability during operational deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking teeth and tabs are designed with built-in mechanical features that prevent unintended disengagement during deployment. The tabs extend through slots in adjacent bands and lock in place, providing a cushioning effect that maintains stability even when subjected to external forces such as wind or vibration during surveillance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for extending a retractable mast include engaging at least three flexible bands such that each band forms a side of a mast. Each band includes a right edge side and a left edge side, each edge having disposed thereon a set of spaced teeth, each tooth having a slot disposed therein and a tab disposed between adjacent teeth, the tab configured to engage the slot of an opposing tooth.