Adjustable Stringers for Folding Shelter Slope Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-slope shelters with asymmetrical structures are difficult to fold optimally due to their raised front, which causes an incline and asymmetry, making folding complex and often resulting in a larger volume than traditional shelters, and the roof slope is fixed based on stringer length, preventing adjustment.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating longitudinally adjustable stringers with telescoping segments and indexing means, allowing the slope of the roof to be modified by extending or shortening the stringers, which deform the structure's geometry to incline the uprights and adjust the roof's angle, enabling easier folding and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the shelter has a single-slope roof with raised front, then the roof slope is fixed and structural stability is improved, but the shelter becomes difficult to fold and occupies larger volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the stringers adjustable in length, allowing the structure to transition from a fixed stable configuration to a dynamic adjustable configuration. The stringers can be extended or retracted to change the roof slope angle, enabling the shelter to adapt between stable single-slope configuration and compact folded configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of stringer length to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting the stringer length between minimum and maximum positions, the roof slope angle changes accordingly, allowing the structure to maintain stability when deployed with optimal slope while enabling compact folding when stringers are retracted to minimum length.
2Manufacturing precision
If the stringer length is fixed, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different installation and weather conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stringers are designed as dynamic adjustable elements rather than fixed components. Each stringer can be extended or retracted to different lengths, allowing the shelter to adapt to various installation conditions and weather requirements while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stringer length parameter to provide adaptability. The adjustable stringers allow modification of the roof slope angle according to different installation sites and weather conditions, while the indexing means ensures precise positioning at various length settings.
3Ease of operation
If the stringers are made adjustable with telescoping segments, then the ease of operation for folding is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stringers are segmented into multiple telescoping sections that can extend or retract relative to each other. This segmentation allows the stringers to achieve variable lengths for adjusting roof slope while maintaining a compact form when retracted, facilitating easier folding and deployment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping stringers employ a nested structure where smaller segments are housed within larger segments. When retracted, the stringers occupy minimal space, enabling compact folding of the shelter. When extended, they provide the necessary length for optimal roof slope configuration.
4Reliability
If the roof slope angle is increased for better drainage, then the weather resistance is improved, but the shelter volume increases making transport more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable stringers enable dynamic modification of the roof slope angle. For optimal weather resistance during deployment, the stringers can be extended to create a steeper slope for better drainage. For transport, the stringers are retracted to minimum length, reducing the shelter volume while maintaining the ability to achieve steep slopes when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stringer length parameter to control the roof slope angle, allowing optimization between weather resistance and transport volume. By adjusting this parameter, the shelter can achieve steep slopes for effective drainage when needed, while maintaining a compact form factor for easy transport when deployed conditions are not immediately critical.
Data Source
AI summary
The folding shelter structure device includes posts supporting at the upper portion thereof a deformable frame having movable side members. Each side member has at least one pair of scissor-hinge arms connected to the posts via pivot points. At least one arm of a pair of arms of a side member is provided to be longitudinally adjustable via a mechanism for elongating and shortening the length thereof.