Telescopic Lance Locking Mechanism for Safe Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic lances are difficult to adjust in length, especially when under pressure, requiring significant force or twisting motion, which can be unsafe and lead to wear and tear on the locking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic lance design featuring a first locking mechanism with a protrusion that engages or disengages with a locking slot through twisting motion and a second locking mechanism with a spring-loaded lock handle for trapping and releasing the outer pipe, allowing safe and user-friendly length adjustment without applying pressure to the lance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If telescoping segments are locked by twisting one of the tubes with respect to another, then the lance can be adjusted to different lengths, but the locking mechanism can wear out the telescoping tubes and weaken the connection point by excess wear and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The lance is divided into multiple telescoping segments that can be independently adjusted. Each segment has its own locking mechanism (screw thread or bayonet coupling) that locks it to the previous segment, allowing the lance to be extended to different lengths while maintaining structural integrity at each connection point
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanisms are designed to be dynamically adjustable during operation. The screw threads allow continuous adjustment along the tube length, while the bayonet couplings can be quickly engaged and disengaged by rotating the outer tube, enabling the user to adapt the lance length to different working conditions
2Reliability
If considerable force is applied to twist the tubes for locking, then the lance can be secured at the desired length, but the user's wrists may be weak or the action may be difficult to perform
Solution Approach 1:
A lever arm or handle is provided as an intermediary tool to assist the user in operating the bayonet coupling locking mechanism. This lever arm multiplies the user's input force, allowing the locking action to be performed with minimal wrist strength while still achieving secure engagement of the telescoping segments
Solution Approach 2:
The screw thread mechanism is replaced with a bayonet coupling system that uses a simple rotational locking action instead of requiring continuous twisting. This substitution reduces the mechanical complexity and the force required to lock the segments, making the operation easier while maintaining reliable locking
3Productivity
If the lance is adjusted while under pressure, then the length can be changed quickly, but it is unsafe and can cause excessive wear on the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The lance is designed with quick-connect couplings that allow the telescoping segments to be locked or unlocked before pressure is applied to the system. The bayonet coupling mechanism can be engaged or disengaged in a single rotational motion, enabling rapid length adjustment during setup or when pressure is not yet applied, eliminating the safety risk of adjusting under pressure
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 safe and easy length adjustment of the lance without applying pressure, reducing wear on the locking mechanism and improving user safety by requiring two hands for adjustment, allowing the lance to be locked at any desired length.
Implementation Method 1
a second locking mechanism with a spring-loaded lock handle for trapping and releasing the outer pipe
Data Source
Figure 1~3c
Figure 4a~6
AI summary
A telescopic lance, comprising a lance handle (5) with a fixed inner pipe (3), an extractable outer pipe (4) and at least one locking mechanism (10,20), wherein the extractable outer pipe (4) is located outside, and slidably longitudinally arranged with the fixed inner pipe (3), and said locking mechanism (10,20) is arranged to allow motion of the extractable outer pipe (4) with respect to the fixed inner pipe (3). A first locking mechanism (20) comprises a protrusion (21) for engagement with a locking slot (22), wherein twisting of the extractable outer pipe (4) brings the protrusion (21) into or out of engagement with the locking slot (22), and a second locking mechanism (10) comprises a spring loaded lock handle (13) with a through going aperture (15) for trapping and releasing the extractable outer pipe (4). The invention also relates to a combination of a telescopic lance and a trigger gun (8) for use with a high pressure washer.