Adjustable Sunshade Cover for Uniform Niche Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sun protection devices often result in aesthetically unsightly gaps between the housing and niche edges due to non-uniform structural dimensions, particularly when installed in high-quality installations.

Innovation Solution

A sun protection device with a reversibly adjustable cover element that can align with the niche in multiple directions, utilizing magnetic, hook-and-loop, or form-fitting attachments to ensure uniform gap dimensions and conceal technical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixed cover element is used to close the niche, then the technical components are concealed, but uneven gaps appear between the cover and niche edges due to non-uniform structural dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of cover installationVSAvoidadaptability to varying niche dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cover element is made adjustable in two perpendicular directions through guide rails and adjustment mechanisms, allowing it to dynamically adapt to variations in niche dimensions while maintaining a flush fit against the niche edges, thereby eliminating uneven gaps without requiring custom manufacturing for each niche size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cover element is made adjustable in multiple directions, then adaptability to niche dimensions is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to niche dimensionsVSAvoidcomplexity of cover adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Guide rails serve as intermediary elements between the cover element and the housing, providing a structured pathway for adjustment while constraining movement to specific directions. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall adjustment system by separating the adjustment function from the cover element itself, reducing the complexity of direct multi-directional adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Achieves an aesthetically pleasing installation by adjusting the cover element to match niche dimensions, minimizing visible gaps and ensuring a high-quality appearance.

Implementation Method 1

the cover element is magnetically attached to the housing. For this purpose, a magnetic or magnetizable element can be attached to the back of the panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

the panel element is attached to the housing by means of a hook-and-loop fastener

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP4613966A1Sunshade apparatus with adjustable covering for a niche
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 STOBAG
  • EP4613966A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4613966A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4613966A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a sun protection device (1) comprising a housing (2) in which a roller shaft (3) with a roll-up awning fabric (4) is rotatably mounted. The housing (2) is designed for installation in a niche (5) of a building and has an outlet opening (8) for the awning fabric (4) on one side. The sun protection device (1) is characterized in that a diaphragm element (13) is arranged on the housing (2), which diaphragm element is reversibly adjustable in a plane (E) in two mutually perpendicular directions (x, y) relative to the housing (2).