Adjustable Rotation Base for Outdoor Umbrellas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional outdoor umbrellas are cumbersome and inconvenient to move due to their heavy weight, especially when stabilized with water or sand, and the addition of wheels can cause unintended movement, failing to address the need for both mobility and stability.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable rotation base with a transportation arrangement that allows the umbrella to switch between a stationary idle mode and a transportation mode, using lifting wheels to facilitate easy movement without compromising stability, utilizing a mechanism of lifting wheels above the base when stationary and lowering them for transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the base is filled with water or sand to increase stability, then the outdoor umbrella becomes stable and resistant to toppling, but the weight of the outdoor umbrella increases significantly making it difficult to move
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the base weight adjustable rather than fixed. The base structure includes a reservoir that can be filled with or emptied of water or sand, allowing the user to dynamically change the base weight according to the situation - heavy when stability is needed, light when mobility is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the density of the base through controlling the amount of filling material (water or sand). The base can transition between different weight states by adjusting the volume of filling material, thereby changing the fundamental parameter of base weight to adapt between stability and mobility requirements.
2Ease of operation
If wheels are installed on the outdoor umbrella to improve mobility, then the outdoor umbrella becomes easier to move, but the wheels may cause accidental movement when the user wishes the outdoor umbrella to be stationary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wheels movable rather than fixed. The wheels can be retracted into or extended from the base structure, allowing the user to dynamically adjust the mobility characteristic of the outdoor umbrella based on whether movement or stability is the current priority.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements segmentation by separating the wheel assembly from the main base structure. The wheels are mounted on extendable arms or mechanisms that allow them to be detached or retracted, creating an independent movable component that can be deployed only when needed for transportation.
3Ease of operation
If the entire outdoor umbrella is lifted and carried to move it to another location, then the outdoor umbrella can be transported, but it requires significant physical effort and assistance from other people
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the outdoor umbrella into separable components - specifically, the base can be detached from the umbrella canopy and shaft. This allows the heavy base to be moved independently using the wheel mechanism, while the lighter umbrella portion can be handled more easily, reducing the overall physical effort required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the wheel mechanism - that mediates between the heavy base and the user. Instead of directly lifting and carrying the entire umbrella, the user operates the wheel system to roll the base to the desired location, significantly reducing the physical effort and complexity of the moving operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor umbrella includes an awning frame, a supporting shaft and an adjustable rotation base including a base housing and a transportation arrangement. The base housing is arranged to couple with the supporting shaft to support the awning frame in an upright manner, and includes a plurality of transferring wheels. The transportation arrangement is provided at the base housing to operate the base housing between an idle mode and a transportation mode, wherein in the idle mode, the transferring wheels are suspenedly lifted up to position above the bottom edge of the base housing such the base housing is sat on the ground surface in a stationary manner, wherein in the transportation mode, the base housing is lifted up by air pressure for allowing the transferring wheels to move out of the receiving cavity at a position below the bottom edge of the base housing.