Awning Drop Shade Magnetic Attachment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized awnings without a channel in the roller tube or box end pose a challenge for attaching an awning drop shade, as they lack a mechanism for installation and require a fail-safe removal system to avoid interfering with the awning's wind sensor system.
Innovation Solution
The awning drop shade is attachable from the ground without a ladder, using a combination of adhesive tapes and magnets for installation and automatic removal when the awning retracts. This involves embedding magnets in the shade fabric, attaching external magnets with double-sided adhesive tapes, and using lanyards for fail-safe detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a channel is incorporated into the roller tube or box end for drop shade installation, then the ease of attaching the drop shade is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into separate components: magnets embedded in the drop shade fabric, external magnets attached to the awning, and adhesive tapes. This segmentation allows the drop shade to be attached without modifying the awning structure itself, avoiding increased device complexity while maintaining ease of attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Magnets and adhesive tapes serve as intermediary elements between the drop shade and the awning. These intermediaries enable the attachment function without requiring a channel or permanent modification to the awning structure, thus avoiding complexity increases while providing easy attachment capability.
2Reliability
If the drop shade is attached securely to the awning, then the reliability of the attachment is improved, but the ease of removal during automatic retraction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic removable attachment. The magnets and adhesive tapes provide secure attachment during use but allow easy removal when the awning retracts automatically, as the magnetic force can be overcome by the retracting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The drop shade can be easily removed and discarded from the awning when automatic retraction occurs, without damaging either component. The magnetic and adhesive attachment allows clean separation, and the system is designed to accommodate this periodic attachment and removal cycle.
3Ease of operation
If the drop shade is attached from ground level without a ladder, then the ease of operation is improved, but the attachment strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical attachment system requiring ladders and high-place fastening is replaced with a magnetic and adhesive system that can be applied from ground level. The magnets and adhesive tapes provide sufficient attachment strength without requiring physical access to high positions on the awning.
4Reliability
If a fail-safe removal mechanism is implemented, then the safety and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drop shade attachment system is self-service in nature, requiring no complex control mechanisms. The magnets and adhesive tapes automatically provide secure attachment during use and allow easy removal during retraction without requiring additional sensors, actuators, or control systems.
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
The solution allows for easy and safe installation of the awning drop shade without a ladder, ensuring fail-safe removal during automatic awning retraction, thus maintaining the operational safety of the wind sensor system.
Implementation Method 1
embedding magnets in the shade fabric, attaching external magnets with double-sided adhesive tapes
Implementation Method 2
attaching external magnets with double-sided adhesive tapes
Data Source
AI summary
An awning shade that attaches to a motorized retractable awning with a fail-safe removal mechanism that does not interfere with the safe operation of the awning because it automatically removes the drop shade from the awning when the powered awning retracts automatically. A combination of adhesive tapes and magnets is employed to install the shade fabric on the awning. Magnets embedded into the fabric are magnetically attached to corresponding external magnets, which, in turn, are attached to the extended end of the awning with the help of double-sided adhesive tapes. A pair of lanyards tether the installed drop shade to the ground and facilitate its fail-safe removal through magnetic detachment when the awning retracts automatically. Fabric pockets provided on the shading fabric allow insertion of a non-ferrous rod into them to lift the magnet-containing fabric above ground for placement on the extended end of the awning without a ladder.