Telescopic item and mechanism therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic mechanisms in toys and other applications lack a safe and efficient means to extend and retract segments without risking injury or damage when encountering resistance, and often require complex friction stops to maintain extended positions.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic mechanism featuring flexible and resilient nut threads that engage with a spindle, allowing segments to retract when encountering resistance, combined with a segment extension stopper to prevent over-extension, ensuring safe and automatic retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the blade segments are designed to be rigid for structural strength, then the blade can withstand cutting forces, but the blade cannot retract when impacted by obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic telescopic system with multiple segments that can extend and retract. The segments are connected through joints with bearing assemblies that allow controlled movement, enabling the blade to adapt its length based on operational conditions while maintaining structural integrity during cutting operations.
2Volume of moving object
If the blade segments are designed to telescope for compact storage, then the overall size is reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic blade assembly employs a nested structure where multiple blade segments are arranged concentrically, with each segment capable of sliding within the previous segment. This nesting arrangement allows the blade assembly to collapse to a compact size for storage while maintaining the necessary structural components for telescopic movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is divided into multiple separable segments that can independently move relative to each other. Each segment is equipped with its own bearing assembly and connection mechanism, allowing the blade to be segmented for compact storage while distributing the mechanical complexity across modular units.
3Reliability
If the nuts are designed to lock firmly on the spindle for precise position control, then the blade position is stable, but the nuts cannot slide to allow rapid retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The nut-thread interface is designed to change its friction characteristics based on operational conditions. During normal operation, the nuts engage firmly with the spindle threads to maintain precise blade positioning. During impact events, the increased axial force causes the nuts to overcome friction and slide along the threads, enabling rapid retraction without requiring separate locking and unlocking mechanisms.
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 mechanism provides safe and efficient extension and retraction of segments, preventing unintended poking forces and maintaining stability without complex friction stops, while allowing for easy replacement of segments.
Implementation Method 1
a threaded spindle having spindle threads, disposed within the telescopic blade segments; a plurality of nuts configured to correspond to and interface with the spindle... the nut threads are configured whereby the nuts will move back and forth over the spindle threads when the spindle is rotated
Implementation Method 2
the nut threads are configured whereby the nuts will move back and forth over the spindle threads when the spindle is rotated; however, the nut threads will slide over the spindle threads if the distal telescopic blade segment is pushed above a given threshold force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A telescopic mechanism including a plurality of hollow telescopic blade segments, The mechanism includes a threaded spindle having spindle threads, disposed within the telescopic blade segments; a plurality of nuts configured to correspond to and interface with the spindle; and a power mechanism configured to spin the spindle. Each of the nuts respectively interfaces at the proximal portion of each of the hollow blade segments and the nuts have nut threads corresponding to the spindle threads. The nut threads are configured whereby the nuts will move back and forth over the spindle threads when the spindle is rotated; however, the nut threads will slide over the spindle threads if the distal telescopic blade segment is pushed above a given threshold force into a suitably rigid body or object in order to allow any extended blade segments to retract.