Awning Arm Wire Protector Clip Fastening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing articulated arm structures for awnings with integrated LED lighting face challenges in ease of assembly, aesthetic appearance, and effective lighting area coverage due to visible wire protectors and complex configurations that obstruct wire passage and create dark spots.

Innovation Solution

The articulated arm structure features clip-fixed wire protector parts that integrate flush with elbows, eliminating the need for screws and protrusions, allowing smoother assembly and increased space for connectors, enabling full LED strip illumination by housing connectors between wire protectors and elbows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wire protectors are fixed to elbows by means of screws, then the wire protector parts can be securely attached, but the assembly becomes more complex and requires tools for installation and removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of wire protectorVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the screw-based mechanical fastening system with a clip-based system. The clip part has a C-shaped configuration that embraces the wire protector and clips into recesses on the elbow, eliminating the need for screws and threaded holes. This substitution maintains secure attachment while dramatically simplifying the assembly process to require no tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the fastening function from the wire protector part itself and places it in a separate clip part. This separation allows the wire protector to have a simpler, smoother configuration without protrusions, while the clip part handles the attachment function by embracing the wire protector and clipping into the elbow recesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If wire protectors have crown-shaped protrusions for fitting into joints, then they can be secured to elbows, but they complicate the shape and may collide with wires during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fitting of wire protectorVSAvoidwire protector configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the fitting function from the wire protector part by eliminating crown-shaped protrusions. Instead, the wire protector has a smooth inner face that fits cleanly into the elbow. The fitting and securing function is extracted and placed in the clip part, which embraces the wire protector and clips into recesses on the elbow, ensuring secure attachment without complex wire protector geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the wire protector having protrusions that fit into the elbow, the patent inverts the approach: the wire protector has a smooth fitting surface, and the elbow has recesses that receive the wire protector. The clip part then secures the assembly by clipping into these recesses, reversing the traditional protrusion-fit approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If connectors joining LED strips are placed in profile housings, then they can be secured, but they occupy space that prevents full illumination of LED strips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure positioning of connectorsVSAvoidLED strip lighting area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the connectors from the internal profile housing space (2D plane) to the external joint area between the wire protector and elbow (3D space). This dimensional relocation places connectors in the notch area where they do not obstruct the LED strip housing, allowing the LED strip to extend fully to the profile end and be completely illuminated without dark spots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a notch in the elbow as an intermediary space that accommodates the connectors. This notch acts as a mediator between the wire protector and the LED strip housing area, providing a dedicated space for connectors that does not interfere with the LED strip's full illumination and extension to the profile end.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3771781B1Articulated arm structure for an awning with an integrated electrical installation
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 GAVIOTA SIMBAC
  • EP3771781B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3771781B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3771781B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An articulated arm structure for an awning with an integrated electrical installation relates to an articulated arm structure for an awning, of the type designed to have an integrated electrical installation, mainly of LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lighting, but also of electrical wiring to supply any device requiring electrical energy for its operation, and has a series of improvements which, among others, provides advantages of ease of assembly, enlargement of the lit-up area and improved aesthetics.