Cantilever Umbrella Segmented Frame for Large Shading Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cantilever umbrellas face challenges in providing a large shading area while maintaining stability, as increasing the unfolded area often leads to instability and potential breakage of ribs, and require multiple units to cover large spaces, which is costly and outdated in design.
Innovation Solution
The cantilever umbrella features a novel structure with two pairs of long-rib and short-rib trays, articulated to form three canopies, and a sliding sleeve with a crank control mechanism for adjustable opening, allowing for a large unfolded area, high stability, and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the unfolded area is increased by lengthening ribs, then the shading area is improved, but the stability and rib strength deteriorate due to increased stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the canopy into multiple sections supported by separate rib structures. Instead of using a single long rib, the design employs multiple shorter ribs arranged in a segmented pattern, which distributes the stress and prevents the instability associated with lengthening individual ribs while maintaining a large overall shading area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional single-plane canopy structure to a three-dimensional multi-layer configuration. By arranging ribs and canopy sections in multiple spatial dimensions, the design achieves a large projected shading area without requiring excessively long individual ribs, thereby maintaining structural stability.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple umbrellas are used to increase shading area, then the coverage is improved, but the cost and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple canopy sections and rib structures into a single integrated umbrella unit. The design merges several functional elements that would traditionally require separate umbrellas into one cohesive structure, achieving large-area coverage while reducing the number of individual units needed and simplifying overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional umbrella structure that can provide shading coverage for large areas through its expanded configuration. The same structural components serve multiple purposes: ribs provide both support and spatial definition, while the modular tray system enables both compact storage and large-area deployment from a single unit.
3Area of stationary object
If the number of ribs and canopy sections is increased, then the shading area is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs segmented, modular components that can be manufactured independently and then assembled. The rib structures and tray components are designed as discrete units with standardized connection points, enabling simplified manufacturing processes while allowing the final assembled structure to achieve a large shading area through the combination of multiple segments.
Data Source
AI summary
A cantilever umbrella including a frame having an upper tray and a lower tray is provided. Two first crossed rods, a transverse rod and a first long rib are articulated to the upper tray. Two second crossed rods and two first short ribs are articulated to the lower tray. One of the two first short ribs is articulated to a middle portion of the transverse rod and the other one is articulated to a middle portion of the first long rib. A middle portion of each second crossed rod is articulated to a middle portion of the first crossed rod on a same side. An end of each first crossed rod is articulated with a short-rib tray which is articulated to a short rib, and an end of each second crossed rod is articulated with a long-rib tray which is articulated to a long rib. The short ribs each has one end articulated to the short-rib tray and another end articulated to a middle portion of one of the long ribs. The upper tray and the two long-rib trays are each disposed with a cap thereon, and a canopy fabric is covered on the long ribs to form three canopies.