Retractable Blade Covering With Decoupled Cam Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing covering apparatuses for outdoor settings suffer from mechanical disadvantages, such as blades being stuck together during packing, unreliable actuation, and requiring synchronized rotation and translation movements, leading to frequent failures and damage.
Innovation Solution
A covering apparatus with independent actuation mechanisms for rotation and translation movements, utilizing cam actuation means with separate profiles for each movement, allowing flexible and reliable operation of blades between open and closed positions, and packed and extended configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the rotation of blades is entirely connected with their translation through a single actuation lever and fixed track, then the structure is simpler, but the reliability deteriorates due to frequent failures in the actuation means
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation system is segmented into two independent mechanisms: a first actuation mechanism for rotation and a second actuation mechanism for translation. This segmentation allows each mechanism to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the likelihood of failure and improving overall reliability while maintaining structural simplicity through functional decomposition.
2Device complexity
If the blades are moved between packed and extended configurations using a single actuation lever, then the device is more compact, but the blades can be stuck on each other and damaged during packing
Solution Approach 1:
The packing operation is divided into two independent stages controlled by separate actuation mechanisms: first, the blades are rotated to a horizontal position using the first actuation mechanism, then they are translated to the packed configuration using the second actuation mechanism. This segmentation prevents the blades from colliding and getting stuck during the packing process, eliminating damage while maintaining device compactness.
3Ease of operation
If the rotation and translation movements are coupled through a single actuation system, then the control is simpler, but the operation becomes unreliable and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two independent control circuits: a first control circuit for the rotation actuation mechanism and a second control circuit for the translation actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows each control circuit to be optimized for its specific movement type, improving operational reliability while maintaining ease of operation through independent, dedicated control for each function.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the actuation lever is not connected to the fixed track during packing, then the packing movement is more flexible, but the blades are not maintained fixed in a predetermined position and can rotate uncontrollably
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning control is segmented into two independent stages: first, the rotation actuation mechanism positions the blades in a horizontal predetermined position, then the translation actuation mechanism moves the blades to the packed configuration. This segmentation ensures that at each stage, the blades are properly constrained and positioned, providing both packing flexibility and position stability without requiring the actuation lever to remain connected to the fixed track throughout the entire process.
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
Ensures reliable and efficient operation of blades, preventing damage and failure by decoupling rotation from translation, enhancing structural simplicity and reducing mechanical stress.
Implementation Method 1
The covering apparatus also comprises cam actuation means provided with a rotation profile and a translation profile, mechanically engaged by means of a rotation cam follower and a translation cam follower, respectively, to the first and to the second movement means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Covering apparatus (1), which comprises a support structure (2), provided with two lateral beams (21), a series of covering blades (3), supported by the lateral beams (21), first movement means (4), arranged for rotating the covering blades (3) between a closed position and an open position, and second movement means (5), arranged for translating the covering blades (3) between a packed configuration, and an extended configuration. In particular, the covering apparatus (1) comprises cam actuation means (6) provided with a translation profile (62) mechanically engaged, by means of a corresponding translation cam follower (50), to the second movement means (5). In addition, the covering apparatus (1) comprises motor means (7), mechanically connected to the cam actuation means (6) in order to move them, actuating the second movement means (5).