Canopy Shelter Link Point Structural Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional canopy frames are prone to bending and structural integrity issues due to flexibility at the link points, which can lead to deformation or failure under severe weather or interference.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates extended cross members, enlarged head inserts, and sleeves to increase the overlapping distance and reduce misalignment angles between cross members, enhancing structural integrity by bridging gaps and distributing stress more evenly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spacer is placed between cross members at link points to reduce friction and allow free pivoting, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates due to increased flexibility and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a link point reinforcement structure that acts as an intermediary element between the two cross members. This reinforcement includes a vertical member and horizontal member that bridge the gap created by the spacer, providing structural support while allowing the spacer to maintain its friction-reducing function. The reinforcement structure mediates between the conflicting requirements by carrying the load while permitting controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The link point is segmented into multiple functional components: the spacer for reducing friction, the vertical member for providing vertical support, the horizontal member for providing lateral support, and the fastening mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to address a specific aspect of the performance requirements independently, with the spacer handling ease of operation and the members handling structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If cross members are pivotally coupled with spacers to allow movement, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased flexibility under severe weather or interference
Solution Approach 1:
The link point uses a composite construction combining different structural elements with complementary functions. The spacer provides low-friction surfaces for easy pivoting, while the vertical and horizontal members provide rigid structural support. This composite approach at the link point creates a system that is both easy to operate and reliable under severe weather or interference conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement structure is pre-installed at the link point before the cross members are assembled. The vertical and horizontal members are positioned and secured in advance to provide immediate structural support when the cross members are coupled together. This preliminary action ensures that the link point is ready to resist bending forces from the outset, rather than requiring reinforcement to be added after deformation begins.
3Strength
If the overlapping distance at link points is increased to reduce misalignment, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The increased overlapping distance is achieved through segmentation of the link point into distinct components: the spacer, the vertical member, the horizontal member, and the fastening mechanism. Each component is separate and can be manufactured independently, then assembled together. This segmentation allows the overlapping distance to be increased without proportionally increasing overall complexity, as each segment has a specific function and can be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The link point reinforcement structure employs a nested arrangement where the vertical member and horizontal member are positioned within the overlapping region of the cross members. The spacer is nested between the cross members, and the reinforcement members are nested around these elements. This nesting allows multiple structural elements to occupy the same spatial region without significantly increasing the external dimensions or overall complexity of the link point.
Data Source
AI summary
A canopy shelter link point for increased structural integrity particularly when subject to bending forces about the link point. The canopy shelter link point can include an increased overlap distance between two cross members, reduced spacing between adjacent cross members, and/or extension features located about an end of the cross members to reduce the misalignment angle between two cross members. Such features can be provided using spacers, inserts to be inserted into a cross member and/or sleeves to be placed around the cross member. A reduction in the misalignment angle can reduce the amount of bending forces about the link point.