Automated Sunshade Umbrella with Dynamic Tracking Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outdoor sunshade umbrellas require manual adjustment of their position to align with changing sunlight directions and obscured objects, which is inconvenient for users.

Innovation Solution

An automated outdoor sunshade umbrella system that includes a supporting structure with movable components and a control system to adjust the umbrella's position and angle based on sunlight direction and obscured object position, utilizing sensors and motors for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the umbrella cover position is fixed, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot automatically track sunlight direction changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic position adjustmentVSAvoidsupporting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed umbrella cover into a dynamic system with multiple movable components. The supporting structure includes a first supporting structure with a rotating second supporting structure, and a movement structure that enables vertical movement. This dynamic configuration allows the umbrella cover to automatically adjust its position and angle to track sunlight direction changes, resolving the contradiction between automation and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting structure is divided into multiple independent segments: a first supporting structure (base), a second supporting structure (rotating arm), and a movement structure (vertical adjustment mechanism). Each segment can move independently, allowing complex tracking motion to be achieved through coordinated movement of simpler individual components, thus managing device complexity while enabling automatic adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If manual adjustment is required, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic tracking convenienceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The umbrella system performs self-adjustment through automated control. The controller receives input from a sun-position determination structure (such as a light sensor or GPS-based sun tracker) and automatically actuates the rotation and movement structures to position the umbrella cover optimally. This eliminates the need for manual operation, greatly improving ease of use despite the added control system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback loop where the sun-position determination structure continuously monitors sunlight direction, and the controller adjusts the umbrella cover position based on this real-time information. This closed-loop control enables automatic tracking without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between operational convenience and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the umbrella cover angle is fixed, then the manufacturing precision requirements are lower, but the adaptability to different sunlight directions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesunlight direction adaptabilityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The umbrella cover is designed with dynamic adjustment capabilities through the rotation and movement structures. Instead of requiring high manufacturing precision for a fixed-angle cover, the system achieves adaptability through controlled movement. The rotation structure allows angular adjustment, and the movement structure enables vertical position changes, allowing the umbrella to adapt to various sunlight directions without demanding extreme manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (position and angle) dynamically rather than relying on fixed precise manufacturing. The controller adjusts the physical parameters of the umbrella cover position in real-time based on sunlight direction, transforming a manufacturing precision problem into a control problem, which is more easily solved through the automated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10932535B2Outdoor sunshade umbrella and method for using the same
Publication Date: 2021.03.02 BEIJING BOE TECH DEV CO LTD
  • US10932535B2 patent drawing
  • US10932535B2 patent drawing
  • US10932535B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An outdoor sunshade umbrella and a method for using the same are provided. The outdoor sunshade umbrella includes: a supporting portion; a sunshade umbrella main body pivotally connected with the supporting portion; and a control portion. The control portion is used to control the supporting portion to automatically adjust a position of the sunshade umbrella main body according to a direction of sunlight and position information of an obscured object.