Awning Housing Pivot Mounting for Pergola Conversion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terrace roof awnings are limited to only being used as such and cannot be easily converted for alternative applications like pergola awnings, restricting their utility and versatility.

Innovation Solution

The awning system is modified to include pivot pieces with stop devices and tilting joints, allowing the housing and guide rails to be easily reconfigured for use as a pergola awning, enabling adaptability and versatility by allowing the awning to be used in open spaces with adjustable inclination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the awning is designed as a fixed terrace roof awning structure, then the structural stability is ensured, but the adaptability to different applications is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication rangeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The awning is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to function both as a terrace roof awning and as a pergola awning. The housing can be mounted either cantilevered from guide rails (terrace roof mode) or on wall brackets (pergola mode), enabling the same basic structure to serve multiple applications without requiring complete redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The awning incorporates dynamic mounting solutions with pivot pieces that can rotate and adjust to different positions. The guide rails and housing can be configured in different spatial arrangements, allowing the structure to adapt its geometry and orientation based on the specific application requirements, whether for a terrace or open pergola space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the awning structure is made simple and cost-effective, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ease of assembly and disassembly for different uses is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The awning is divided into modular components including the housing, guide rails, wall brackets, and pivot pieces that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for cost-effective production of individual parts while enabling straightforward assembly and disassembly when converting between terrace roof and pergola applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wall brackets are pre-assembled with pivot pieces during manufacturing, creating a pre-configured mounting unit. This preliminary assembly reduces the complexity of field installation and simplifies the conversion process between different awning applications, as the mounting hardware is already prepared and integrated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the housing is permanently fixed to the guide rails, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to reconfigure for pergola use is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereconfigurabilityVSAvoidmounting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the housing and mounting structure is made dynamic rather than fixed. Pivot pieces enable the housing to be securely mounted in the desired position while allowing for controlled adjustment and reconfiguration. The mounting system provides stability during use but enables easy reconfiguration when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional components are added to enable pergola use, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication rangeVSAvoidcomponent quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additional components (wall brackets and pivot pieces) are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide mounting support, enable angular adjustment, and facilitate the conversion between terrace roof and pergola configurations. This multi-functionality minimizes the need for separate specialized components for each application type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The wall bracket and pivot piece functions are combined into an integrated assembly. The pivot piece is incorporated directly into the wall bracket structure, merging the mounting function with the adjustment function into a single integrated component, thereby reducing the total number of separate parts required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3486397B2Awning
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 ERHARDT MARKISENBAU
  • EP3486397B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3486397B2 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3486397B2 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In the case of an awning with an awning fabric that can be mounted on a winding shaft arranged in a housing (7), the front end of which is attached to a tension profile (9), the lateral end regions of which are guided in guide rails (10) extending in the direction of projection of the awning fabric and projecting from the housing (7) attached to it, which can be mounted on a terrace roof via detachably attachable supports (11) to form a terrace roof awning (6), an alternative use and thus a broadening of the area of ​​application can be easily achieved by attaching the guide rails (10) to the upper end of an associated post (16) etc. only at their front ends to form a pergola awning (12) without the supports (11).are connectable, and that the housing (7) can accommodate detachable wall brackets (15) which can be attached to it, each having a pivoting piece (22) which is pivotably mounted about an axis parallel to the winding shaft and which is designed as a detachably fixed partial shell encompassing a rear area of ​​the housing (7) facing it.