Telescopic Position Adjustment Mechanism With Stepping Reservoir
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic position adjustment mechanisms for bicycle seats suffer from imprecise position adjustment and unwanted rotation due to play between the telescoping element and the base, leading to discomfort and instability.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic position adjustment mechanism featuring a stepping reservoir that allows incremental collapse of the telescoping element, a locking configuration to fix the position, and a rotation resistance mechanism using a locking key to inhibit rotation, while permitting telescopic movement and free movement configurations for fluid flow between reservoirs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a support reservoir with valve-governed fluid communication is used to adjust telescopic position, then the telescoping element can be extended or collapsed, but the position adjustment becomes imprecise and the telescoping element may collapse unexpectedly
Solution Approach 1:
The support reservoir is divided into multiple chambers (first support chamber, second support chamber) separated by a floating piston. Each chamber can be independently controlled by separate valves, allowing incremental and precise adjustment of the telescoping element position by transferring fluid between chambers rather than allowing uncontrolled fluid flow.
2Ease of operation
If play is allowed between telescoping element and base for free sliding movement, then frictional jamming is prevented, but rotation of the telescoping element relative to the base occurs causing wobble
Solution Approach 1:
A locking key acts as an intermediary component between the telescoping element and the base. The locking key includes a locking portion that engages with a locking channel to prevent rotation, while a biasing mechanism (spring) maintains engagement pressure. This intermediary structure provides rotation resistance without interfering with the sliding movement between the telescoping element and base.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rotation resistance mechanisms like tongue and groove arrangements are used, then rotation is inhibited, but the play between telescoping element and base increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking key serves as a mediator that provides rotation resistance through engagement with the locking channel, while the biasing spring ensures continuous engagement pressure. This intermediary mechanism achieves rotation inhibition without requiring tongue-and-groove arrangements that would increase play and interfere with smooth sliding movement.
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 precise, incremental adjustment of the telescoping element's position and prevents unwanted rotation, enhancing user comfort and stability by maintaining the telescoping element's position relative to the base.
Implementation Method 1
a support reservoir defined between the base and the telescoping element and supporting the telescoping element against the base. The support reservoir has a variable volume according to a position of the telescoping element relative to the base.
Implementation Method 2
By opening the valve, the position of the telescoping element relative to the base can be adjusted. Moving fluid from the support reservoir to the sink reservoir will telescopically collapse the telescoping element, and moving fluid from the sink reservoir to the support reservoir will telescopically extend the telescoping element.
Data Source
AI summary
A telescopic position adjustment mechanism allows for a telescoping element to be indexed by fixed increments toward a more telescopically collapsed position, relative to its base. The telescopic position adjustment mechanism uses a stepping reservoir that can, in a stepping configuration, selectively receive a predetermined volume of fluid from a support reservoir that supports the telescoping element against the base, enabling the telescoping element to collapse toward the base by a distance corresponding to the predetermined volume of fluid. In a locking configuration, the volume of fluid in the support reservoir is constant and the telescopic position is fixed, and in a free movement configuration fluid can flow freely between the support reservoir and a sink reservoir to permit free telescopic movement. A rotation resistance mechanism uses a locking key that is biased into engagement with a locking channel to inhibit rotation of the telescoping element relative to the base.