Telescoping Pole Damping Assembly to Prevent Impact and Vacuum

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional telescopic pole assemblies lack damping mechanisms, leading to rapid movement of inner pole segments relative to outer segments, which can cause damage, noise, and usability issues due to vacuum effects or liquid ingress.

Innovation Solution

A telescoping pole assembly with a damping assembly comprising a bushing, gasket, and spigot, where the bushing has a neck that obstructs the gasket opening during downward motion to dampen the inner pole segment's movement, and does not obstruct during upward motion to prevent vacuum creation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a damping assembly with a gasket is used to dampen downward movement of the inner pole segment, then the impact and noise are reduced, but a vacuum effect is created when the inner pole segment is moved away from the outer pole segment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact and noiseVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gasket is segmented into multiple sections with gaps between them, allowing the damping function to be distributed across multiple points rather than a single continuous seal. This segmentation enables controlled air leakage that prevents vacuum formation while maintaining damping effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the gasket have different properties - the gasket material provides damping in the downward direction through its resilient nature, while the gaps between gasket sections allow air flow in the upward direction to prevent vacuum effects. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If conventional telescopic pole assemblies are provided without damping assemblies, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the inner pole segment can move fast relative to the outer pole segment causing damage and loud noises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoiddamage and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gasket is designed as a simple, inexpensive resilient component that provides effective damping without complex mechanisms. This simple component absorbs the impact energy and reduces noise while being cost-effective to manufacture and replace if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient gasket is pre-installed in the telescopic pole assembly to provide cushioning before any impact occurs. This beforehand cushioning prevents the inner pole segment from directly impacting the outer pole segment, thereby preventing damage and noise from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If check valves are used to prevent liquid ingress, then liquid protection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and cleaning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gasket acts as a flexible sealing element that provides liquid protection through its resilient nature and ability to conform to the pole segments. This flexible film approach is simpler to manufacture than rigid check valves and allows for easier cleaning and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 damping assembly effectively reduces the impact of the inner pole segment's movement, preventing damage and noise, while maintaining usability by avoiding vacuum effects during extension.

Implementation Method 1

The damping assembly includes a bushing, a gasket and a spigot... In response to the first and second pole segments moving towards each other, the neck contacts the gasket face and at least partially obstructs the gasket opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

In response to the first and second pole segments moving away from each other, the neck is separated from the gasket face and does not obstruct the gasket opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum effect prevention: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS20250163947A1Telescoping pole assembly

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 TECH CGC INC

AI summary

A telescoping pole assembly includes first and second pole segments and a dampening assembly having a bushing, a gasket and a spigot. The first pole segment has a closed distal end and an open proximal end in which a distal end of the second pole segment is received. The bushing is attached to the distal end of the second pole segment, has a neck extending therebeyond. The gasket defines gasket opening and is shaped to fill an inner area of the first pole segment. The spigot extends from a gasket face towards the distal end of the second pole segment. In response to the pole segments moving towards each other, the neck contacts the gasket face and at least partially obstructs the gasket opening. In response to the pole segments moving away from each other, the neck is separated from the gasket face and does not obstruct the gasket opening.