Telescopic Awning Device with Spring-Locked Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telescoping devices for camping vehicles require significant muscle power to stretch and secure awnings, making it difficult for older individuals to achieve a tight tension, as they need to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and maintain the device's weight and tension.

Innovation Solution

A telescoping device with a positioning mechanism that allows elements to be moved in opposite directions with minimal muscle power, featuring a displacement means and clamping means to extend and secure the device, along with a toothed rack for force transfer, enabling easy extension and retraction with reduced effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a telescoping device uses a locking mechanism with spring pins or balls to secure positions, then the device can maintain tension in the awning, but significant muscle power is required to stretch and reposition the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetension maintenanceVSAvoidmuscle power requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism transitions from a static system to a dynamic one where the spring-loaded ball automatically moves between locked and unlocked states based on the tension force applied to the telescoping elements, enabling easy repositioning while maintaining secure locking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded ball automatically engages with the recesses to lock the telescoping elements in place when tension is applied, and automatically releases when tension is reduced, eliminating the need for manual operation during normal use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If the telescoping device requires simultaneous performance of multiple tasks (attachment, stretching, securing, and holding weight), then the awning can be properly tensioned, but the complexity of operation increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveawning tensioning qualityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment, stretching, and securing functions are merged into a single continuous action where the telescoping elements are simply pulled apart and the spring-loaded ball automatically locks the position, eliminating the need for separate securing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism automatically performs the securing function based on the tension force applied during stretching, without requiring the user to manually engage or disengage locks during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the telescoping device uses traditional locking mechanisms, then the elements can be secured in position, but re-tensioning and re-tightening requires loosening and re-applying force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition securingVSAvoidre-tensioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism dynamically responds to changes in tension force, automatically unlocking when tension is reduced and allowing smooth repositioning, then automatically re-locking when new tension is applied, enabling quick re-tensioning operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The device allows for efficient tensioning and securing of awnings with reduced muscle power, enabling easy extension and retraction, thus facilitating the use of camping vehicles by minimizing the physical strain required for awning setup.

Implementation Method 1

The latching device has a spring pin or a ball tensioned by a spring, which can engage in recesses or latching points which are arranged in the outer element.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

A toothed rack can be arranged in the second element with which the positioning device can engage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRack and pinion mechanism: Rack and Pinion

Implementation Method 3

a clamping means (8) which can clamp onto the toothed rack (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3038859B1Telescopic device
Publication Date: 2017.03.22 THULE NV
  • EP3038859B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3038859B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3038859B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A telescopic device (1), for example a rafter arm, comprises a first element (2) and a second element (3) which can be telescoped relative to each other, an engagement means (4) which is arranged on the second element (3), and a positioning device (5) which is arranged on the first element (2). The positioning device (5) has a pushing means (7) and a clamping means (8) and can be brought into operative engagement with the engagement means (4) such that a pressure force is generated by actuating the pushing means (7) of the positioning device (5), said pressure force being used to extend the first element (2) relative to the second element (3). Upon actuating the pushing means (7), the pushing means engages with the engagement means (4), and the first element (2) can be prevented from retracting relative to the second element (3) by the clamping means (8). In the process, the clamping means (8) locks the positioning device (5) with the engagement means (4).