Awning Retraction Joint Elevation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable awnings face challenges in adjusting the elevation of the extended end to a lower position without preventing the retractable arms from being properly retracted into the housing, particularly in compact cassette and semi-cassette designs.
Innovation Solution
The improved awning mechanism automatically adjusts the elevation of the extended end during retraction, allowing for rotation about a horizontal axis to align with the housing opening, and includes a retraction joint that limits unwanted motion, ensuring the arms can be fully retracted while maintaining a downward shade configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the elevation of the extended end is adjusted to a lower position, then shade performance is improved, but the retractable arms cannot be properly retracted into the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The retraction joint is pre-configured with a horizontal axis of rotation that automatically raises the outer end of the extendable arm to the correct elevation during the retraction process. This preliminary geometric arrangement ensures that as the arm retracts, the outer end is lifted to align with the housing opening, preventing storage issues while maintaining the ability to achieve lower elevation positions when extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the elevation of the outer end of the extendable arm during retraction through the retraction joint's rotation about a horizontal axis. This dynamic motion allows the arm to transition from a lowered extended position to an elevated retracted position, resolving the contradiction between maintaining low elevation for shade performance and achieving proper retraction for storage.
2Shape
If the extendable arm is configured for retraction into housing, then appearance is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retraction joint combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides the rotation axis for retracting the extendable arm into the housing, simultaneously raises the outer end to the correct elevation, and limits unwanted motion through its geometric constraints. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby reducing overall complexity while achieving the desired appearance enhancement through proper retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The retraction joint serves multiple purposes: enabling retraction into the housing for aesthetic purposes, automatically adjusting elevation during retraction, and limiting unwanted motion when extended. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address multiple requirements, reducing the need for additional separate mechanisms and thereby controlling complexity while improving appearance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the retractable arm is allowed to rotate freely, then adjustability is improved, but unwanted motion occurs when fully extended
Solution Approach 1:
The retraction joint is designed with a horizontal rotation axis that preliminarily counteracts unwanted vertical motion of the outer end when the arm is fully extended. By providing a fixed axis of rotation, the joint pre-prevents the type of instability that would occur without such constraint, while still allowing the necessary rotational movement for adjustment and retraction operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The retraction joint preliminarily establishes the correct elevation and orientation of the outer end through its geometric configuration. This preliminary positioning action ensures that when the arm is fully extended, the outer end is already in the correct stable position, preventing unwanted motion while maintaining the adjustability needed for different operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An awning is provided that includes an extendable arm, a shelter member, and a joint. The extendable arm has an inner end coupled with a support and an outer end extendable away from the inner end. The shelter member has an outer portion coupled with the extendable arm support and disposed along the extendable arm. The joint has a mechanism responsive to an awning retraction force to raise outer portions of the extendable arms and an outer portion of the shelter member toward a horizontal orientation relative to a shade enhancing orientation.