Telescopic Mast Guide Rail Structure for Low-Play Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High telescopic masts experience significant play and rotational movement between sections, which complicates operation and increases weight, especially under extreme conditions and dynamic loads, with existing solutions failing to adequately minimize play and control rotational movement.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic mast design featuring telescopic members with parallel walls, a guide rail, and spacer means with a flexible sleeve and slide shoe system that absorbs shock loads and prevents rotational movement, utilizing a resilient material to maintain tight tolerances and minimize play between sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If means are provided to reduce play between telescoping sections (such as actuators and pressing mechanisms), then play is reduced, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping sections are designed to automatically reduce play through their own structural features (guide rails and grooves) without requiring external actuators or complex mechanisms. The sections self-adjust and maintain tight tolerances through their inherent geometry and interaction with the guide rail system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mast is divided into multiple telescoping sections, each with its own guide rail and groove system. This segmentation allows play reduction to be achieved locally at each section interface through simple geometric features rather than a single complex mechanism affecting the entire mast.
2Manufacturing precision
If means are provided to reduce play between telescoping sections (such as actuators and pressing mechanisms), then play is reduced, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The play reduction mechanism is inherent in the structural design of the telescoping sections themselves, utilizing guide rails and grooves that automatically maintain tight tolerances without requiring additional heavy components like actuators or pressing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, lightweight geometric features (guide rails and grooves) rather than complex, heavy mechanical systems. The solution prioritizes simplicity and weight efficiency over using robust but heavy traditional play reduction mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rotational control mechanisms are added to counteract rotational movement, then rotational stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove is designed with an asymmetric cross-sectional shape that engages with the guide rail in a way that naturally prevents rotational movement. The asymmetric geometry provides rotational control through the basic structural interaction rather than requiring separate rotational control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail and groove system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides axial movement, reduces play between sections, and prevents rotational movement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate rotational control mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while achieving rotational stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If rotational control mechanisms are added to counteract rotational movement, then rotational stability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric cross-sectional shape of the guide groove provides inherent rotational control through its geometric engagement with the guide rail, eliminating the need for additional heavy rotational control components and maintaining lightweight construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail and groove system performs multiple functions including axial guidance, play reduction, and rotational control all in one lightweight structure, avoiding the need for separate weighty rotational control 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 design achieves reduced play and rotational control, allowing for a lightweight, compact, and reliable telescopic mast that effectively absorbs complex loads and maintains stability under various conditions, including high G-loads and temperature fluctuations.
Implementation Method 1
a mounting fitting (9) fastened to the second telescoping section (4) and a flexible sleeve (11) mounted in the mounting fitting (9), where in the flexible sleeve (11) there is mounted a slide shoe (14) including a pin (13) for engaging the flexible sleeve (11) and a groove (15) arranged for engaging the guide rail (6)
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a telescopic mast including one or more telescopic members with parallel walls. One of two adjacent telescoping sections is narrower than the other of the two adjacent telescoping sections such that a telescoping section can be moved into and out of, respectively, of a surrounding telescoping section in a telescopic member. This surrounding telescoping section can be moved into and out of a further telescoping section in a further telescopic member. In the one telescoping section in a telescopic member there is provided a guide rail running in axial direction of the telescoping section. Between each of two adjacent telescoping sections in a telescopic member there is provided at least one spacer means arranged for keeping the telescoping sections apart and controlling their mutual movement. This means includes a mounting fitting fastened to the second telescoping section in a telescopic member and a flexible sleeve mounted in the mounting fitting. In the flexible sleeve is fitted a slide shoe that includes a pin for engaging the flexible sleeve, and a groove arranged for engaging the guide rail.