Retractable Foldable Rod Locking Structure to Prevent Finger Injury
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable rods require manual operation to release tension in the linkage rope, which can lead to finger injury during unfolding and folding due to the need to press a locking pin against a joint.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable and retractable rod apparatus featuring a hollow external pipe fitting, a multi-section rod unit with foldable rods of the same diameter, and a positioning unit with a linkage rope, positioning component, and locking component, allowing the rod to switch between unfolded and folded states by pulling the external pipe fitting outward, avoiding the need to release tension manually.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking pin unit is used to secure the retractable rod in the unfolded state, then the rod can maintain its maximum length and structural stability, but the operator must press the locking pin against a joint which may cause finger injury during folding or unfolding
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the locking pin pressing against the joint is extracted and eliminated. The patent replaces the manual locking pin operation with an automatic locking mechanism where the linkage rope itself performs the locking function through its tension, removing the need for a separate locking pin that contacts the joint and causes injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage rope serves as an intermediary element that transfers the locking function from the locking pin to the rod structure itself. The rope's tension automatically engages the locking mechanism without requiring direct contact between the locking pin and the joint, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining the useful locking function.
2Ease of manufacture
If different outer diameters are used for first and second foldable rods, then the rods can be optimized for their specific functions, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and component management becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving the first and second foldable rods the same outer diameter (standardization) while allowing their inner structures, lengths, and specific functions to differ. This enables standardized manufacturing and interchangeability while maintaining functional optimization through internal design variations rather than external dimensional differences.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable and retractable rod includes an external pipe fitting, a multi-section rod and a positioning unit. The multi-section rod includes a first 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 are folded and in parallel relative to the external pipe fitting.