Telescopic Guide Rod Clamping Mechanism for Compact Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescoping support/guide rods for search devices, such as metal detectors, are limited in their adjustability and length when collapsed, making them difficult to carry due to a fixed minimum length that is half the maximum extended length, restricting ergonomic handling and ease of transport.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping support/guide rod with a clamping device featuring a profile clamp and quick-release fastener that allows for infinite adjustability and the accommodation of additional inner tubes, enabling the system to be as short as one tube length when collapsed, with a retaining ring and clamping ring segments providing high clamping force and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a leaf spring locking device with engagement holes is used, then the tubes can be locked in defined positions, but the adjustability is limited and the minimum length cannot be reduced below half the maximum length
Solution Approach 1:
The support rod is divided into multiple telescoping tube segments (first outer tube, first inner tube, second inner tube) that can be independently adjusted and locked. This segmentation allows each tube to be clamped independently, enabling the rod to be collapsed to a minimum length approximately equal to the length of the outermost tube rather than half the maximum length, while still providing infinite adjustability through the clamping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static system with fixed engagement holes to a dynamic clamping system using profile clamps with quick-release fasteners. This allows continuous adjustment of tube lengths and enables the tubes to be locked at any position along their telescoping range, providing infinite adjustability rather than discrete positions.
2Length of moving object
If multiple tubes are telescoped into one another, then the minimum length is reduced, but the handling and clamping reliability becomes difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The profile clamps are designed to be self-retaining through the quick-release fastener mechanism, which automatically maintains clamping force without requiring continuous user intervention. The clamping device allows one-handed operation for both adjustment and locking, making the system easy to handle while ensuring reliable clamping of multiple telescoping tubes.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping force and positioning parameters can be continuously adjusted by moving the profile clamps along the tubes and securing them at different positions. The quick-release fastener allows rapid changes in clamping state between locked and unlocked positions, providing both reliability and ease of operation for multi-tube telescoping systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a clamping device with profile clamp and quick-release fastener is used, then infinite adjustability and compact transport position are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The profile clamp with quick-release fastener serves multiple functions: it provides infinite adjustability along the tube length, ensures reliable clamping through friction and mechanical engagement, and enables rapid locking and unlocking operations. This multi-functional design achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity, as a single clamping mechanism handles all adjustment and locking requirements for multiple telescoping tubes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the inner tube is clamped on the outside of the outer tube, then additional inner tubes can be accommodated, but the clamping force distribution may become uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The profile clamps are positioned at specific locations along the tubes where clamping force is most effective, and the quick-release fasteners are adjusted to distribute clamping force evenly across the tube interfaces. This localized optimization ensures that each clamping point provides sufficient and uniform force, maintaining stability while accommodating multiple telescoping tubes with different dimensions.
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 allows for a compact transport position, easy handling, and ergonomic adaptation, with stepless adjustment and high clamping force, reducing material and manufacturing costs while ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
The locking device is designed as a clamping device which has a profile clamp with a quick-release fastener
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The detector has a measuring probe arranged on an end of a telescopic carrier/guide rod such that the rod features two tubes (7) movable longitudinally in one another. A clamping element is formed as a clamping device (10). A profile clamp (12) is formed on an overlapping tube end of an outer tube immovably, and features a holding ring (14) with two half shell-shaped clamping ring segments (15,15') that are flexibly connected together on a face side (16) and clamped together on another face side (16') by a clamping lever (17).