Folding Conservatory Awning Slats with Torsion Spring Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conservatory awning-type shading-roofing systems are limited in their ability to withstand adverse weather conditions such as wind, rain, and snow, and require additional structural support for longer guide rails, which complicates installation and reduces their effectiveness in providing comprehensive protection.
Innovation Solution
A folding conservatory awning-roof system using slats connected by rack arms that move within guide rails, eliminating the need for counterweights and allowing for independent coverage of gaps between the awning and wall, with a motorized operating system and torsion spring balance for enhanced stability and ease of installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a multiple counterweights system is used to support the awning cover, then the awning can be extended and retracted, but the awning lacks sufficient strength to withstand adverse weather conditions such as wind, rain, and snow
Solution Approach 1:
The awning cover is divided into multiple individual slats that can be independently positioned and locked at different locations along the guide rails. This segmentation allows each slat to bear and distribute weather loads independently, significantly increasing the overall structural strength and resistance to wind, rain, and snow while maintaining the ability to extend and retract the awning system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static counterweight support structure to a dynamic configuration where slats can be locked at various positions along the guide rails. This dynamic positioning capability allows the awning to adapt to different weather conditions and load requirements, providing both operational flexibility and enhanced structural strength when needed.
2Area of stationary object
If guide rails are made longer to cover larger openings, then the coverage area increases, but additional substructures are required to support the guide rails
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rails are positioned to utilize the vertical space above the opening rather than requiring horizontal support substructures. By extending the guide rails vertically above the opening and allowing slats to move along this vertical dimension, the system achieves larger coverage areas without the need for additional horizontal substructures or support constructions.
3Ease of operation
If the awning cover is held by a multiple counterweights system, then extension and retraction is enabled, but the awning requires high-power motorized operating system and leaves gaps between slat and wall-canopy
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight system supports individual slats independently rather than the entire awning cover as a single unit. This segmentation reduces the mass that the motorized operating system must move at any given time, significantly lowering power requirements. The motor only needs to operate the first slider, while other slats are supported by their respective counterweights, enabling efficient operation with lower energy consumption.
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
The system provides robust protection against wind, rain, and snow, allowing for flexible installation on various constructions without additional substructures, optimizing space usage and reducing the power requirements of the motorized system while ensuring reliable operation across different weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The motorized operating system around the motor tube and underneath it's bearings on guide rails, can have a torsion spring balance, whose ends are being adapted on two rings, a moving, rotating by the motor tube, and a fixed, which assists the electric motor
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is a folding conservatory awning - roof, a shading - roofing system, with two or more guide rails (2), on which are being moved slats (1,7) by sliders (4,12) and by a connection array with rack arms (3,5), sliders (4,12) that can slide inside and on the upper part of guide rails (2).The first slider opposite the guide rails (2) mounting bar (11) is the motion slider (4) and is connecting with the motorized operating system. The motorized operating system around the motor's tube (15) and underneath its mountings on guide rails (2), may have a torsion spring balance (16), with its ends adjusted on rings (17,18). One of the rings(17), is adjusted on motor's tube grooves (15) and turns around with it. The other ring (18) is fixed and discharges by opening the conservatory awning (retract, not protecting open area), helping the electric motor. One of the rest sliders (12) except the motion slider, must be locked, for the concentration position of slats, by opening the conservatory awning, to be determined. The locked slider (12) also determines the power of the motorized operating system, that needs to move the conservatory awning. The guide rails (2) are mounting on a mounting bar (11) that is jointed on fixing bracket (13). The guide rails can change their relative position, by at their length direction in relation to the mounting bar (11), since there is the cheek (10) that is fixed on the guide rails (2) with bolts (8).