Protective Awning Housing with Segmented Covers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Awnings, commonly used in recreational vehicles and other structures, are susceptible to damage from sun and rain exposure, leading to costly replacements due to cracking and peeling, necessitating a protective solution to extend their lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A protective awning housing device with a top cover and a bottom cover that can be arranged between open and closed conditions, providing an enclosed interior to shield the awning from environmental elements, featuring a snap-fit engagement for secure sealing and easy installation/removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If an awning is deployed to provide shade, then the awning protects people and property from sun exposure, but the awning fabric is damaged by sun and rain leading to cracking and peeling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from sun exposureVSAvoidawning fabric durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective housing is divided into a top cover and a bottom cover that can be separated. This segmentation allows the housing to open for awning deployment and close for protection, resolving the contradiction by providing both shade functionality and fabric protection through temporal separation of states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective housing acts as an intermediary structure between the awning fabric and environmental elements (sun and rain). When closed, it shields the fabric from harmful exposure while allowing the awning to remain deployed for shade provision, thus protecting reliability without sacrificing protection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the awning is left deployed continuously, then shade protection is maintained, but the awning fabric deteriorates faster due to prolonged exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshade protection durationVSAvoidawning lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective housing serves as a mediator that enables the awning to remain in the deployed position for extended periods while being protected from environmental damage. The housing can be closed when the awning is not in use, significantly extending both the operational duration and the overall lifespan of the awning fabric.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective housing provides preliminary protection by shielding the awning fabric from sun and rain exposure during periods when the awning is not actively providing shade. This preliminary protective action prevents deterioration before it occurs, extending the awning's service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a protective covering is added to shield the awning, then the awning is protected from elements, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveawning protection from elementsVSAvoidprotective housing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective housing is segmented into a top cover and a bottom cover that can independently engage with the awning roller tube. This segmentation simplifies the overall structure compared to a fully enclosed housing, reducing complexity while still providing effective protection from sun and rain exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective housing incorporates movable components that can open and close around the roller tube. The top cover and bottom cover can be positioned to protect the awning when needed and moved away when the awning is in use, providing dynamic protection without requiring a complex fixed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the protective housing is made fully enclosed, then maximum protection is provided, but the awning cannot be deployed for shade

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from rain and sunVSAvoidawning deployment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective housing is divided into separable top and bottom covers that can be independently positioned. This allows the housing to transition between a protected closed state and an open state that permits full awning deployment, resolving the contradiction between maximum protection and operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective housing is designed as a dynamic structure with movable covers rather than a static enclosed shell. The top cover and bottom cover can be opened to allow awning deployment for shade and closed to provide maximum protection from elements, enabling the system to adapt to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10544591B1Protective awning housing

Publication Date: 2020.01.28 LEON RANDY A

AI summary

A device for protecting a furling awning mounted on a vertical surface includes a top cover having a back panel, a top panel, and opposed top end panels, as well as a bottom cover having a bottom panel, a front panel, and opposed bottom end panels. The bottom cover is arrangeable with respect to the top cover between an open condition, in which an opening is defined opposite the vertical surface, through which the awning can unfurl from the vertical surface, and a closed condition, in which the opening is closed and the top and bottom covers cooperate to define an enclosed interior.