Awning Height Adjustment Cable Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing awning systems face challenges in height adjustment, where changes in cable tension significantly affect the extended length, limiting the range of adjustment and requiring high operating forces due to reaction forces from the tensioning cable.
Innovation Solution
The awning design maintains a constant cable tension by ensuring the attachment point remains at an identical distance from the deflection point during height adjustment, using a multi-part post or a height-adjustable carriage with a deflection roller, allowing for independent extension length adjustment without altering cable tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the height of the post is adjusted by telescopic movement, then the height adjustment range is increased, but the cable tension changes significantly and the adjustment range is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The post is divided into multiple telescopic segments that can extend and retract independently. This segmentation allows the post to achieve significant height adjustment while maintaining structural integrity and manageable cable tension forces through the distributed arrangement of tensioning cables at different levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the tensioning system by using multiple tensioning cables arranged at different heights and angles. This allows the cable tension to be distributed and controlled throughout the telescopic movement, preventing excessive tension changes that would limit adjustment range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the deflection point of the tensioning cable is made height-adjustable, then the sail extension length can be changed, but the operating forces become very high due to reaction forces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces counterbalancing mechanisms including springs and counterweights that offset the reaction forces generated by cable tension. This allows the deflection point to be adjusted with minimal operating force, as the counterbalancing elements absorb and neutralize the high forces that would otherwise require significant user effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses intermediary elements such as pulleys, guides, and friction-reducing bearings between the cable and the deflection point. These intermediaries reduce friction and distribute forces, allowing smooth adjustment with low operating forces while maintaining effective cable tension control.
3Device complexity
If the tensioning device is simplified without a length compensation mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the extension length is affected by height adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs dynamic compensation where the tensioning device automatically adjusts cable length in response to height changes. The system uses movable components and elastic elements that dynamically adapt to maintain constant extension length despite variations in post height, eliminating the need for complex manual compensation mechanisms.
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 design reduces operating forces required for height adjustment, allowing for continuous extension length adjustment at various heights with minimal change in cable tension, eliminating the need for additional support aids and simplifying operation and manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
the end of the tensioning cable is fixed to the ground by a tension spring
Implementation Method 2
a deflection roller at the deflection point of the tensioning cable, arranged at a distance from this the attachment point for the end of the tensioning cable
Data Source
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AI summary
A sunshade sail has a height adjustment mechanism for the deflection point (14) of a tensioning cable (12) on at least one post (10) with a tensioning device (26) with a length compensation mechanism over which the tensioning cable (12) is guided, wherein the end (42) of the tensioning cable (12) is fixed at an attachment point. In order to reduce the influence of the height adjustment on the tension or extension length of the tensioning cable, the attachment point is designed to be located at a position that is at an identical distance from the deflection point (14) in all positions of the height adjustment.