Terrace Canopy Coupling Piece for Slope Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terrace canopies face issues with aesthetic appearance, complexity in design, material weakness, and increased costs due to protruding support posts and complicated coupling mechanisms, which hinder easy adjustment and visibility of controls.
Innovation Solution
A coupling piece that allows for adjustable and rotatable attachment of side guide rails to support posts, hidden from view, using a strengthening bracket with L-shaped or U-shaped sections and transverse strengthening, enabling easy height adjustment and strengthening of support posts without additional material, and providing accessible controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the support posts protrude above the canopy to allow water evacuation adjustment, then the tarpaulin can be lowered to evacuate water, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling piece is nested inside the support post, with the hinge mechanism contained within the hollow support post structure. This allows the adjustment mechanism to be hidden from external view while remaining fully functional, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling piece acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables water evacuation adjustment through internal hinge movement without requiring external protrusion of support posts. The coupling piece mediates between the need for adjustment and the requirement for aesthetic appearance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a channel is added in the sidewall of the support post for coupling connection, then the coupling mechanism can be implemented, but the support post strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling piece is nested within the hollow support post, utilizing the internal space rather than cutting channels through the post walls. This preserves the structural integrity and strength of the support post while providing the necessary coupling functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complicated coupling piece with channel and lateral guidance is used, then the guide rails can be supported and tilted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (support, tilting, guidance) are merged into a single coupling piece mechanism. The coupling piece combines the hinge axis, support function, and guidance capabilities in one integrated component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the coupling controls are distributed along the support post, then adjustment is possible, but the control accessibility and visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
All adjustment controls are merged and concentrated at the top of the support post within the coupling piece. This centralization makes all controls easily accessible and visible in one location, eliminating the need to access distributed controls along the length of the support post.
Data Source
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AI summary
Terrace canopy containing a roof structure (2) with a retractable and extendable screen (5) guided in sloping side guide rails (7) for the screen (5), said side guide rail (7) being supported on or at a distance from their lower extremity (8) by a hollow support post (9) by means of a hinge (13) with a horizontal shaft (13c) which is transversely oriented to the longitudinal direction (Q-Q') of the side guide rail (7), characterised in that for setting the slope (A) of the side guide rail (7) the hinge (13) is mounted on a coupling piece (12) that is concealedly mounted in the hollow support post (9) and is height adjustably mounted in the support post (9).