Telescopic Stand Column Lock Mechanism for Tent Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescopic stand columns for tents are prone to instability and breakage due to high local stress, leading to potential tent collapse during use, as they rely on clamping members that are not robust enough to handle the weight and stress effectively.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic stand column design featuring an inner and outer tube connected by a lock mechanism with a tensioning component and matching assembly, allowing for radial expansion and contraction of the open end portion, providing increased friction and stability through surface-to-surface contact between the tubes, and incorporating elastic locating pieces for secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a clamping member is used to fix the telescopic stand column, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the bearing capacity is insufficient and the structure becomes unstable under large weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fixing mechanism from a clamping member to a friction-based friction plug. This parameter change in the locking mechanism transforms how the inner and outer tubes are secured - instead of mechanical clamping, it uses friction force generated by inserting the friction plug into the inner tube to create sufficient friction to prevent sliding, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and adequate bearing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical clamping system with a friction-based system. The friction plug inserted into the inner tube generates friction force that substitutes for the mechanical clamping action, providing a simpler structure that maintains stability under load through friction rather than mechanical interlocking
2Device complexity
If a clamping member is used to fix the telescopic stand column, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to easy breakage under large local stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the stress distribution parameter by replacing the localized clamping force with a distributed friction force along the contact surface between the friction plug and inner tube. This parameter change eliminates the large local stress concentration that causes clamping member breakage, thereby improving reliability while keeping the device simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of friction (which can cause wear and heat) into a beneficial locking mechanism. The friction force, which is typically a resistive force, is here utilized as the primary locking mechanism to prevent the inner tube from sliding out, thereby improving reliability without increasing complexity
3Strength
If the stand column uses a fixed length design, then the bearing capacity is sufficient, but the space occupied during transportation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by designing a telescopic stand column where the inner tube can be inserted into the outer tube. When not in use, the stand column can be collapsed to a compact size with the inner tube nested within the outer tube, significantly reducing transportation space while maintaining full bearing capacity when extended and locked
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the fixed-length design into a dynamic telescopic structure. The stand column can adjust its length between a retracted state for compact storage and an extended state for full bearing capacity, allowing it to adapt to different usage scenarios and reducing transportation volume without sacrificing structural strength
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 enhances the stability and bearing capacity of the telescopic stand column, ensuring a more secure and reliable support structure by maintaining surface contact and frictional force between the inner and outer tubes, thus preventing collapse and facilitating easier assembly and disassembly.
Implementation Method 1
a tensioning component providing a tensile force to expand the open end portion outward along a direction perpendicular to a length direction of the inner tube
Implementation Method 2
with relatively greater friction force, and thus more stable, and having a greater bearing capacity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a telescopic stand column and a tent having same. The telescopic stand column comprises an inner tube and an outer tube sleevedly connected to each other, and a lock mechanism fixing the inner tube and the outer tube together. The inner tube has an open end portion inserted to the outer tube, and at least one side wall of the open end portion is opened with a strip-shaped opening. The lock mechanism comprises a tensioning component providing a tension to expand the open end portion outward along a direction perpendicular to a length direction of the inner tube, and a matching assembly fixed to the open end portion to fit with the tensioning component. Operation holes corresponding to the tensioning component are provided on side walls of the inner tube and outer tube. The telescopic stand column of the present disclosure facilitates operation, and increases a load-carrying capacity.