Adjustable Telescoping Plank With Lead Screw Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an adjustable telescoping plank that can provide a support surface for various purposes such as maintenance and construction, as existing solutions do not adequately address the requirement for flexibility and versatility in support devices.
Innovation Solution
The adjustable telescoping plank consists of an outer plank with U-shaped members, a drive device including a lead screw and gears, and an inner plank with wear strips, allowing for adjustable length and secure attachment, enabling flexible support surfaces for different applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length plank is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot adapt to different support requirements and applications
Solution Approach 1:
The plank is divided into an outer plank and an inner plank that can move independently relative to each other. The inner plank contains U-shaped members that can slide within corresponding U-shaped members of the outer plank, allowing the plank to be segmented into adjustable sections while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The plank transitions from a static fixed-length structure to a dynamic adjustable-length structure. The inner plank can move longitudinally within the outer plank, and the positioning system allows the plank to dynamically change its effective length to adapt to different support requirements.
2Reliability
If wear strips are added to protect the plank surfaces, then the durability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Wear strips are applied selectively to specific high-wear areas of the plank, such as the inner surfaces of U-shaped members and contact surfaces. This localized approach protects critical areas from wear while avoiding the need to treat the entire plank surface, thereby improving durability without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a telescoping mechanism is implemented, then the adjustability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner plank is nested within the outer plank, with the inner plank's U-shaped members sliding within the outer plank's U-shaped members. This nesting arrangement allows the telescoping mechanism to achieve length adjustment while maintaining a compact form factor and minimizing the number of separate components required.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system incorporates features that allow the inner plank to be easily positioned and locked at desired locations within the outer plank. The design includes self-aligning elements and simple locking mechanisms that reduce the complexity of operating the telescoping mechanism while maintaining adjustability.
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 solution provides a versatile and adjustable support surface that can be easily extended or retracted, suitable for multiple uses including airplane docking systems, enhancing usability and adaptability in maintenance and construction tasks.
Implementation Method 1
a lead screw, a drive gear, a driven gear and a drive shaft. The adjustment base plate is attached to an inside surface of the outer plank at substantially a first end thereof. An end of the tube housing is attached to the base plate at middle thereof.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable telescoping plank preferably includes an outer plank, an inner plank and a drive device. The outer plank includes a substantially rectangular cross section. The drive device is retained on an inside of substantially a first end of the outer plank. The inner plank includes a substantially rectangular cross section. A lead screw nut is retained on a first end of the inner plank. The inner plank is sized to be received by an inner surface of the outer plank. The drive device preferably includes a lead screw, a drive gear, a driven gear and a drive shaft. The drive shaft rotates the lead screw through the drive gear and driven gear. The lead screw engages the lead screw nut to axially move the inner plank relative to the outer plank. A contact member may be pivotally retained on a front of the inner plank.