Telescopic Extension Locking Sleeve for One-Handed Length 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 occupied with other tasks, and often involve bending down, 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 on the outer tube surface that can be gripped to adjust the length without increasing the diameter significantly, incorporating a push-slider and elastic means to disengage the constraining device from notches on the inner tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuating device is positioned close to the inlet end of the outer tube, then the device structure is compact, but the user must use both hands and bend down to operate it
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating device is extended along the longitudinal dimension of the outer tube, spanning from near the inlet end to near the outlet end. This dimensional extension allows the user to operate the device with one hand at any position along the tube, eliminating the need to bend down or use both hands, while the cylindrical body maintains a compact cross-sectional profile
2Ease of operation
If the actuating device extends along the outer tube surface, then one-handed operation is enabled, but the device diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating device employs a substantially cylindrical body with a thin wall that fits over the outer tube. This thin-walled cylindrical structure provides the necessary surface area for one-handed operation while minimizing the increase in overall device diameter, maintaining a compact profile
3Ease of operation
If the actuating device is positioned within reach of the user's hand, then operation is convenient, but the constraining device cannot be properly engaged
Solution Approach 1:
A linkage mechanism serves as an intermediary between the actuating device and the constraining device. When the user actuates the device at any position along the outer tube, the linkage transmits the actuation force to the constraining device, enabling proper engagement while maintaining user accessibility and one-handed operation
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 the need for bending and accommodating users with mobility limitations, while maintaining a compact profile and reducing the overall diameter of the device.
Implementation Method 1
a slider and elastic means, wherein the slider cooperates with the constraining device by means of the elastic means
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A telescopic extension, typically for a household appliance, is described, the extension comprising: a) an inner tube; b) an outer tube, wherein said inner and outer tubes are telescopically slidable with respect to each other, wherein said inner tube comprises deformations of predefined shape on its outer surface; c) a constraining device which is configured so as to block sliding of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube; d) a slider and elastic means, wherein said slider cooperates with said constraining device by means of said elastic means; and e) an actuating device operatively connected to said slider, wherein said actuating device extends over at least half the length of said outer tube, wherein said actuating device comprises a substantially cylindrical body fitted on at least part of the outer surface of said outer tube.