Awning Power Track Assembly for Cord-Free Powered Accessories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing awning systems face challenges in integrating powered accessories due to issues with electrical wiring, such as tripping hazards, wire management during extension and retraction, and undesirable thickening of awning edges when rolled.

Innovation Solution

A power track awning assembly that includes a rotatable awning roller tube with a powered groove containing tracks with electrical conductors, an accessory base for connecting powered accessories, and a mechanism to prevent the awning from being retracted when accessories are installed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrical wiring or power cords are used for powered accessories, then powered accessories can be installed to increase functionality, but tripping hazards and wire management issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionality of outdoor living spaceVSAvoidtripping hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrical conductors from traditional power cords and wires, embedding them directly into the awning structure through grooves and channels. This removes the harmful external wiring while preserving the powered accessory functionality, eliminating tripping hazards while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces grooves and channels as intermediary structures within the awning that serve as pathways for electrical conductors. These intermediaries enable safe conductor routing through the awning body, connecting power sources to accessories without exposing wires in the outdoor living space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple power cords are run to accessories, then powered accessories can be installed, but wire management becomes complex and awning storage is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowered accessory installationVSAvoidawning storage time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple electrical conductors into a single integrated power track system embedded in the awning. Instead of managing separate power cords for each accessory, all conductors are combined within the awning structure, simplifying wire management and enabling faster awning deployment and storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves electrical conductor management from the external three-dimensional space (multiple cords running around) to the internal two-dimensional plane of the awning structure (grooves and channels). This dimensional transition simplifies conductor organization and reduces storage time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the awning is made rotatable to improve functionality, then outdoor living space versatility increases, but electrical connection reliability becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutdoor living space functionalityVSAvoidelectrical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical rotary connectors with embedded electrical conductors in grooves that extend along the awning structure. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues of rotary connectors while maintaining the rotatable functionality for improved outdoor living space versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12280726B2Power track assembly and accessory base therefore

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 DOMETIC APPLIANCES

AI summary

An accessory base is provided which may be used with a power track assembly. The accessory base is connected to a power track assembly and a powered accessory so that the powered accessory is powered by the power track. The accessory base may also be used with power tracks in a roller tube awning assembly, a cassette awning assembly, hardware assembly, or a track which may be mounted to a surface.