Articulated Awning Compression Rod Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Articulated arm awnings with large fabric lengths experience significant mechanical stress and deformations on the winding shaft and drop rail due to high fabric tension, leading to undesirable visual impairments, which existing tensioning devices fail to compensate effectively.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a compression bar that can be clamped to exert compressive forces transverse to the longitudinal axis of the winding shaft or drop rail, with adjustable length and position-dependent pressure to counteract fabric tension and deformation, using profile sections and coupling elements to distribute and vary the compressive stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If large tension springs are used in articulated arms to tension fabric of large folding-arm awnings, then fabric tension is sufficient, but mechanical stresses and bending deformations on winding shaft and drop rail increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by installing compression bars on the winding shaft and drop rail that exert compressive forces in advance to counteract the tensile stresses from fabric tension. These compression bars are positioned outside the neutral bending fiber and can be adjusted to apply pre-compression that neutralizes the bending deformations caused by fabric tension before the awning is fully deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting the length and position of compression bars to modify the compressive force applied to the winding shaft and drop rail. The compression bars can be adjusted along the longitudinal axis and their clamping force can be varied to optimize the compensation effect for different fabric tensions and awning configurations.
2Strength
If tensioning device is attached to housing to place housing under tensile stress, then housing is strengthened, but loads on winding shaft and drop rail cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the load compensation function from the housing structure and implements it directly on the winding shaft and drop rail through compression bars. Instead of relying on the housing to transfer tensile stresses, the invention applies compressive forces directly to the components experiencing bending deformations, ensuring that the load compensation is effective at the precise location where it is needed.
3Shape
If compression rod is clamped to exert compressive forces transverse to longitudinal axis, then bending deformations are neutralized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the compression bar functionality with the existing structural elements of the awning. The compression bars are integrated into the winding shaft and drop rail assemblies, utilizing available space and mounting points. This integration approach minimizes additional complexity while achieving the desired deformation compensation.
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
This solution effectively neutralizes or minimizes bending deformations on the winding shaft and drop rail, enhancing the visual appearance and structural integrity of the awning by compensating for fabric tension and weight-related stresses.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compression rod (13) is provided on the winding shaft (03) and/or the drop rail (05), which extends at least partially outside the neutral bending fiber of the winding shaft (03) or the drop rail (05). The compression rod (13) is characterized by the fact that it can be clamped under pressure in order to deform the winding shaft (03) and/or the drop rail (05) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis by the tensile load acting as a counterforce.
Implementation Method 2
The compressive forces exerted by the compression rod thus act on the winding shaft and/or the drop rail, so that corresponding tensile stresses act in the winding shaft or the drop rail.
Implementation Method 3
The pressure bar acts on the drop rail, causing a corresponding deformation of the winding shaft or drop rail perpendicular to its respective longitudinal axis. This deformation caused by the pressure bar can completely or partially neutralize the deformations of the winding shaft or drop rail caused by the fabric tension or the awning's own weight.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a folding-arm awning (01, 32) with a fabric (02, 33) which is attached at its rear edge to a winding shaft (03, 36), wherein the fabric (02, 33) can be wound onto the winding shaft (03, 36) by rotary drive of the winding shaft (03, 36), and wherein a drop rail (05, 34) is provided at the front edge (04) of the fabric (02, 33), and wherein the drop rail (05, 34) is extendably mounted on at least two folding arms (06, 35), and wherein the folding arms (06, 35) are pivotally mounted, and wherein the folding arms (06, 35) are pivotally connected to the drop rail (05, 34), and wherein the folding arms (06, 35) are pre-tensioned with tension springs and thereby extend the unwound part of the fabric (02, 33). 33) between winding shaft (03, 36) and drop rail (05, 34), wherein at least one compression rod (13, 22, 37) is provided on the winding shaft (03, 36) and/or on the drop rail (05, 34),which runs at least partially outside the neutral bending fiber of the winding shaft (03, 36) or the drop rail (05, 34), wherein the compression rod (13, 22, 37) can be clamped under pressure.