Awning Joint Geometry for Automatic Shading Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing awnings struggle to provide effective shading at different sun positions and extension states without requiring user intervention to adjust the angle of inclination, and they lack a robust and defined movement path.
Innovation Solution
The awning design incorporates a joint device that adjusts the pivot axis inclination relative to the vertical based on the lead bar's distance from the cloth shaft, allowing continuous change in the cloth plane inclination during extension, using a control part connected to the first arm link and a support device via joints with adjustable angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the angle of inclination of the cloth shaft is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the awning cannot provide effective shading at different sun positions and extension states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cloth shaft rotatable about a horizontal axis, allowing the angle of inclination to change dynamically between approximately 10° to 30° relative to the horizontal plane. This enables the awning to adapt to different sun positions and extension states without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the lead bar is moved by lateral guides along a predetermined movement path, then the movement path is defined, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lateral guides from the system by allowing the lead bar to move freely in the horizontal direction without being constrained by guide structures. The movement path is defined not by physical guides but by the geometric relationship between the cloth shaft, cloth, and lead bar during extension, thereby achieving a defined movement path with reduced structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cloth plane angle of inclination is adjusted manually by the user, then the shading can be optimized, but the ease of operation decreases and requires user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the awning system where the cloth shaft rotation and lead bar movement occur automatically during the extension process. The geometric relationship between the cloth shaft, cloth, and lead bar ensures that the cloth plane automatically assumes the appropriate angle of inclination (10° to 30°) relative to the horizontal plane as the awning extends, eliminating the need for manual user intervention to adjust the angle.
Data Source
AI summary
An awning that has a support device, a cloth shaft, a cloth, a lead bar and a drive device. The lead bar can be adjusted via the drive device between a fully retracted minimum position and a completely extended maximum position. The drive device has at least one first arm link which, at its inner end facing the cloth shaft, is mounted via a joint device so as to pivot about a pivot axis. The joint device is designed such that an inclination of the pivot axis relative to the vertical changes depending on the pivoting movement of the first arm link and depending on the distance of the lead bar from the cloth shaft. A control part is provided which is connected in an articulated manner to a first arm link at a first joint and which is connected in an articulated manner to the support device at a second joint.