Roller Awning Arm Joint With Hidden LED Light Guide
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller awnings with LED lights on articulated arms face issues of interrupted light strips at articulation joints, visible power wires, and potential damage during folding, affecting aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
Replace the articulation pin with a hollow pin containing a printed circuit board with LEDs and a light guide, powered by a cable hidden from view, maintaining the awning's appearance and ensuring smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LED strips are applied to articulated arms, then illumination is provided, but the light strip must be interrupted at articulation joints
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide element acts as an intermediary between the LED source at the articulation joint and the articulated arm surface. The light guide receives light from the LED and transmits it along the arm, creating continuous illumination without requiring the LED strip to physically cross the articulation joint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical LED strip that would need to flex and bend at articulation joints with an optical system using light guides. This substitution eliminates the mechanical continuity problem by using light transmission instead of physical material continuity across the joint.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power wires are used to power LEDs at articulation joints, then electrical power is delivered, but visible wires deteriorate aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow articulation pin serves as an intermediary conduit, providing a hidden pathway for power delivery. Electrical conductors are routed through the hollow pin, delivering power to LEDs at the articulation joint without visible wires, as the pin itself is concealed within the joint structure.
3Illumination intensity
If LEDs are placed at articulation joints, then continuous lighting is achieved, but LEDs risk damage during folding movements
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow articulation pin provides a protective environment for the LED and associated electronics before any potential damage can occur. The LED is housed within the protected cavity of the pin, cushioning it against mechanical stresses, impacts, and environmental factors that would otherwise damage exposed LEDs during folding movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED and its electronics are nested within the hollow articulation pin, which itself is part of the articulated arm structure. This nested arrangement protects the fragile LED components within the robust pin structure, allowing continuous lighting while protecting against movement-related damage.
4Illumination intensity
If articulation pins are replaced with hollow pins containing electronics, then continuous lighting is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow articulation pin performs multiple functions: it provides the mechanical articulation function, serves as a protective housing for the LED, acts as a conduit for power delivery, and functions as a structural element of the articulated arm. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by combining multiple components into a single integrated element.
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
Provides continuous LED lighting along the articulated arms without visible power wires, preventing damage and maintaining the awning's aesthetic and functional integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an articulation joint of the two arms is provided with a light guide, in particular with a hollow pin, along which a light strip, in particular an LED strip, can be extended
Data Source
AI summary
A roller awning, with lights, includes: a sheet; a shaft for winding/unwinding it; a structure supporting the shaft; a crosspiece for constraining an edge of the sheet; pairs of articulated arms for supporting and moving the crosspiece with respect to the support structure; and a plurality of LED lights fixed at least to the articulated arms. Articulation is obtained through disks fixed to cooperating ends of the arms, the disks being intercalated between them and being crossed by an articulation pin, forming an articulation joint with the discs. The pin being hollow and has its upper end opening into an upper cavity which is obtained in the upper disc of the joint and which also houses a printed circuit board. At least one LED is mounted thereon facing an axial cavity of the pin, within which, a light guide is housed opening at the lower end of the axial cavity.