Taper Section Pole Coupling to Prevent Jamming Under Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telescopic pole systems for elevated cleaning tasks face issues such as weight, complexity, wear, and jamming due to elastomer seals and bearing structures, leading to difficulty in extension and retraction, and frequent failure of the innermost section, while taper section rods suffer from wedging and jamming due to weight-induced stress.
Innovation Solution
A connector system for taper section poles featuring a male and female end with a tapered sliding fit, secured by a collar-based coupling mechanism with radial pins and a resilient locking structure, allowing for secure assembly without obstructing the pole bore and minimizing stress on the connector, enabling easy extension and retraction while maintaining stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If telescopic pole sections are used to minimize pole mass, then the pole assembly becomes lighter and easier to handle, but the bearing structures and elastomer seals cause wear, play, and jamming that increase complexity and reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the telescopic mechanism entirely, extracting the problematic bearing structures and elastomer seals from the system. Instead of one section sliding within another, the invention uses separate pole sections connected by coupling mechanisms at their ends, eliminating the sources of wear and play while maintaining the ability to extend and retract the pole assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent retains a nesting-like configuration where pole sections are stored within each other when retracted, but uses a different mechanism - the coupling mechanisms allow sections to nest without sliding bearings or seals. The sections can be inserted and secured without the harmful friction and wear of traditional telescopic mechanisms.
2Reliability
If elastomer seals and bearing structures are incorporated in telescopic sections, then fluid sealing is achieved, but wear and play increase making it harder to bring the remote end on target
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes elastomer seals and bearing structures from the system entirely. Instead of using sliding telescopic sections with seals, the invention uses coupling mechanisms at the ends of pole sections that connect without requiring seals or bearings, thereby eliminating the play and wear that compromise targeting precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If clamp or brake mechanisms are used to prevent pole section retraction, then the extended pole sections remain stable, but the clamp parts must be secured by piercing the tubular wall producing weakened stress concentration points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of securing and sealing into a single coupling mechanism at the ends of pole sections. The coupling mechanism integrates the functions of preventing retraction and maintaining structural integrity without requiring separate clamp parts that pierce the tubular wall, thereby maintaining pole section strength while ensuring stability.
4Ease of operation
If repeated extending and retraction of telescopic pole sections is performed, then the pole assembly is easy to deploy, but wear on bearing structures and seals increases causing frequent failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes bearing structures and elastomer seals from the system, eliminating the components that wear out with repeated use. The coupling mechanisms used in the invention are designed to withstand repeated extension and retraction without the friction and wear that limit the lifespan of traditional telescopic mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A pole section for temporary assembly with similar pole sections into an elongate pole assembly whereby a user can perform work on a remote worksite elevated by up to 20 m above the user. Each pole section includes a male end and a female end, having a complementary taper to slide into or around the other of a male or female end and form a fluid tight joint with a stiffness similar to or greater than the overall stiffness of the pole. The ends of each pole section include one of first and second complementary coupling parts. The coupling parts cooperate to prevent the pole sections moving relatively towards each other under the weight of overlying pole sections in use to prevent the pole sections jamming A resiliently deformable locking structure is provided in a coupling part by a ring spring.