Awning Adapter Locking Groove for One-Person Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection systems for attaching fabric layers of awnings, tents, or sun sails to mounting structures, such as vehicle surfaces, are cumbersome and often require two people, as they involve sliding a connection profile along the mounting structure, which can cause damage and requires significant space.
Innovation Solution
A connection system comprising a receiving member with a groove and an adapter with an engaging section that can be inserted perpendicularly and rotated to securely attach the fabric, allowing for a single-person operation and reducing the risk of damage, featuring a hook-like engaging section and a securing member for locking the adapter in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connection profile is slid along the mounting structure surface to attach fabric, then the fabric can be connected to the mounting structure, but the mounting structure surface may be damaged and significant space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: a receiving member fixed to the mounting structure and a connection element with engaging sections that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the connection element to be inserted perpendicular to the surface without sliding along it, preventing surface damage while maintaining reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion direction is changed from parallel to perpendicular relative to the mounting structure surface. The engaging sections are inserted in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting structure surface, which eliminates the sliding motion that causes surface damage and reduces the space required for operation.
2Ease of operation
If two persons are used to mount the fabric to the welt track, then proper positioning and sliding can be achieved, but the operation becomes more complex and requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is designed to be self-positioning during insertion. The engaging sections with their specific geometries automatically align with the receiving grooves during perpendicular insertion, eliminating the need for one person to position the fabric while another slides the connection profile, thus enabling single-person operation.
3Area of stationary object
If the connection profile has a length corresponding to the width of the fabric, then the entire fabric width can be connected, but a lot of space is required for the operation
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the insertion direction to perpendicular, the connection element can achieve full fabric width coverage without requiring lateral maneuvering space. The perpendicular insertion allows the connection element to engage the entire receiving groove length while requiring minimal clearance around the mounting point.
Data Source
AI summary
An awning system includes an awning and a connection system for connecting the awning to a mounting structure. The awning includes a roller tube and an accessory element coupled to the roller tube. The connection system includes a receiving member and an adapter. The receiving member is coupled to the mounting structure and defines a receiving groove extending along an extension path. The adapter includes an engaging section coupled to the receiving groove and a receiving section coupled to the awning. A normal force between a contact area of the engaging section and the receiving groove increases when the engaging section rotates in one direction about the extension path such that the adapter is in a self-locked condition within the receiving groove.