Telescopic Extension Locking Sleeve for One-Handed Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional telescopic extensions for household appliances require the use of both hands to adjust length, which can be inconvenient, especially for individuals with mobility issues or those needing to hold other objects, and often necessitate bending, making it difficult for elderly people or those with health problems.

Innovation Solution

A telescopic extension design where the actuating device extends from near the inlet end to the outlet end of the outer tube, allowing for one-handed operation, featuring a substantially cylindrical body with openings for reduced diameter increase and a gripping device for easy handling, enabling length adjustment without the need for both hands or bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the actuating device is positioned close to the inlet end of the outer tube, then the telescopic extension can be locked securely, but the user must use both hands and bend down to operate it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating device is extended along the longitudinal dimension of the outer tube, moving from a position near the inlet end to a position near the outlet end. This spatial relocation in one dimension (longitudinal position) allows the user to operate the device while maintaining a natural gripping position, eliminating the need to bend down or use both hands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

A linkage mechanism serves as an intermediary between the actuating device and the constraining device. This intermediary transmits the actuating force from the remotely positioned actuator to the locking mechanism near the inlet end, enabling secure locking while maintaining operational convenience at the far end of the tube.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the actuating device extends from near the inlet end to near the outlet end of the outer tube, then one-handed operation is enabled, but the device diameter increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-handed operationVSAvoidouter tube length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating device is nested within or integrated with the outer tube structure. The actuating device extends along the longitudinal axis of the outer tube and can be positioned within the tube's existing dimensional envelope, minimizing the increase in overall tube length while achieving remote operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating device employs a thin-walled cylindrical structure that can be fitted over the outer tube. This thin-film approach allows the actuating device to extend along the tube length without significantly increasing the radial diameter, maintaining a compact cross-sectional profile while enabling one-handed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Length of stationary object

If a substantially cylindrical body with thin walls is used for the actuating device, then the diameter increase is minimized, but the structural strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuating device diameterVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The thin-walled cylindrical actuating device is constructed using composite materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the device to maintain structural integrity and withstand operational forces while keeping the wall thickness minimal, thus avoiding significant diameter increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical shape of the actuating device provides inherent structural strength through its curved geometry. The circular cross-section distributes stresses evenly around the perimeter, allowing thin walls to maintain adequate structural strength while minimizing the overall diameter of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

Enables one-handed adjustment of the telescopic extension's length, reducing user inconvenience and accessibility issues, allowing for easier use by individuals with mobility limitations or those needing to hold other objects, while maintaining a compact design.

Implementation Method 1

a slider and elastic means, wherein the slider cooperates with the constraining device by means of the elastic means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8567825B2Telescopic extension, in particular for a household appliance, and associated household appliance

Publication Date: 2013.10.29 OMEC SPA

AI summary

A telescopic extension for a household appliance comprises: an inner tube and outer tube, with the inner and outer tubes being telescopically slidable with respect to each other A constraining device is configured so as to block sliding of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube An actuating device is operatively connected to a slider. The actuating device comprises a substantially cylindrical body fitted on at least part of the outer surface of the outer tube. The substantially cylindrical body comprises at least one opening positioned to expose a surface of the outer tube whereby grip of user on the substantially cylindrical body may also contact the exposed surface of the outer tube and lock the cylindrical body with respect to the outer tube.