Telescopic pole assembly for supporting an ironing board

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional telescopic pole assemblies in garment steamers are prone to rapid sliding, posing safety risks such as finger pinching and component damage due to the weight of the ironing board, compromising user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A telescopic pole assembly with a resilient member featuring a deformable peripheral rim that induces friction during collapsing to slow down the sliding movement and a locking mechanism to control extension, ensuring safety and convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a telescopic pole assembly is made adjustable in length, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of pole lengthVSAvoidcomplexity of telescopic mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pole assembly is divided into multiple telescopic segments (first pole member, second pole member, third pole member) that can extend and retract relative to each other. Each segment is a separate component that can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing the overall length to be adjusted while keeping individual segment complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic pole members are nested within each other in a concentric arrangement, with smaller diameter members inside larger diameter members. This nesting configuration allows multiple adjustable segments to be compact when retracted while providing extended length when deployed, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a telescopic pole assembly is made adjustable in length, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of pole lengthVSAvoidprecision of telescopic mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the pole into discrete telescopic members with defined engagement interfaces, the manufacturing precision requirements are distributed across multiple standardized components rather than requiring high precision across a single continuous structure. Each segment can be manufactured to standard tolerances and assembled with consistent engagement features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for adjustment of the extended length parameter by selectively extending different numbers of telescopic segments. This parameter change capability provides adaptability while each segment maintains fixed, manufacturable dimensions, avoiding the need for high precision in variable-length configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If pole members are held in extended position by friction, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of extension mechanismVSAvoidreliability of extended position
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Friction surfaces act as an intermediary mechanism between the telescopic pole members to maintain the extended position. The friction engagement between mating surfaces of adjacent pole members provides a passive holding force that prevents accidental retraction while maintaining structural integrity, balancing simplicity with reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4573241B1Telescopic pole assembly for supporting an ironing board
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 VERSUNI HLDG BV
  • EP4573241B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4573241B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4573241B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a telescopic pole assembly (100) for supporting an ironing board (102). The telescopic pole assembly comprises an upper pole (104), and a hollow lower pole (106) having an internal surface (108) that faces the upper pole. The upper pole is slidable inside the lower pole to enable extension and collapsing of the telescopic pole assembly. A resilient member (110) is arranged at a lower part of the upper pole. The resilient member comprises a deformable peripheral rim (112) having an outer shape adapted to, at least partially, contact the internal surface of the lower pole. The peripheral rim is inclined downwards.