Telescopic Baton Locking Mechanism for Strength and Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing expandable batons suffer from complex structures and weak strength, leading to high costs and a high damage rate.

Innovation Solution

The use of a lever principle-based positioning ring and locking pieces, along with an elastic ring, to securely lock and unlock adjacent sleeves, allowing for free extension and retraction, simplifying the structure while enhancing strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a multi-plate type locking structure is used, then the locking function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and the strength becomes weak

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking structure complexityVSAvoidlocking structure strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The locking structure is segmented into multiple independent locking pieces (at least three) that are distributed around the positioning ring. Each locking piece independently engages with grooves on adjacent sleeves to provide locking force. This segmentation distributes the mechanical load across multiple points, enhancing overall strength while keeping each individual locking piece simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning ring integrates multiple functions: it serves as the fulcrum for locking pieces, provides positioning grooves for engagement, and acts as a central coordinating element. By merging these functions into a single component, the overall structure complexity is reduced while maintaining strong locking capability through the coordinated action of locking pieces rotating around this integrated ring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a multi-plate type locking structure is used, then the locking function is achieved, but the number of parts increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning ring serves multiple purposes: it acts as a fulcrum for the locking pieces during rotation, provides positioning grooves for the locking pieces to engage with sleeves, and coordinates the movement of multiple locking pieces simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, decreasing the total number of parts while maintaining reliable locking through the ring's coordinated action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking pieces utilize the positioning ring as a self-provided fulcrum, eliminating the need for external pivot points or additional support structures. The positioning ring's own structure provides the rotational axis for locking pieces, and the locking pieces themselves provide the locking force through their engagement with sleeve grooves, creating a self-sufficient locking system with minimal parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution results in a simpler, stronger locking mechanism that reduces the number of parts and assembly complexity, providing stable locking and easy operation with improved durability.

Implementation Method 1

the lock body which is deformed by use of its own elastic property

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the positioning ring and the plurality of locking pieces are disposed on the basis of a lever principle, and the second axial ends of the plurality of locking pieces extend out of the sleeve positioned on the inner side and are stuck in the sleeve positioned on the outer side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever principle: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP3680600B1Telescopic baton
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 NEXFLASHLIGHT INDS
  • EP3680600B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3680600B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3680600B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Some embodiments of the disclosure provide an expandable baton, which includes a plurality of sleeves, a positioning ring, a plurality of locking pieces and an unlocking rod, wherein the plurality of sleeves are retractably disposed in sequence in a nesting manner; the positioning ring is provided with an avoiding hole; the plurality of locking pieces are disposed at intervals around a peripheral side of the positioning ring and enclose an avoiding space, first axial ends of the plurality of locking pieces extend into the sleeve positioned on an inner side, and second axial ends of the plurality of locking pieces extend out of the sleeve positioned on the inner side and are stuck in a sleeve, positioned on an outer side, of the two adjacent sleeves to lock two adjacent sleeves in an extending state; and when the unlocking rod extends into the avoiding space and, after penetrating through the avoiding hole, is pressed against the first ends of the locking pieces, the first ends of the multiple locking pieces extend outwards under a pressing action of the unlocking rod, and each locking piece rotates by taking the positioning ring as a fulcrum to radially retract and separate the second axial ends of the multiple locking pieces from the sleeves positioned on the outer side and make two adjacent sleeves in a free extension and retraction state. According to the invention, the problems of complex structure and weak strength of a expandable baton in the conventional art are solved.