Collapsible Outdoor Structure Frame with Slidable Hub
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor structures, both humanitarian and commercial, face challenges with setup and teardown efficiency, require significant resources for assembly and disassembly, are not easily transportable, and are vulnerable to adverse weather when not fully assembled.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible frame system with a center tube assembly, slidable hub, roof tube assemblies, ceiling tube assemblies, and hinged strut assemblies that allow for easy setup and teardown, enabling the structure to be fully assembled in a stored state and easily transported, with a fabric roof and sidewalls that can be securely attached and remain attached during collapse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed frame structure is used, then the structure provides stability and support, but it cannot be easily relocated and requires complete disassembly for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure transitions from a static fixed state to a dynamic collapsible state through the slidable hub mechanism. The tubes and struts are designed to move relative to each other, allowing the frame to collapse into a compact configuration for transport while maintaining structural integrity when erected.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is divided into multiple segmented components including telescoping tubes, hinged struts, and modular connections. These segments can be independently moved and collapsed, allowing the entire structure to be compacted for transport while maintaining ease of reassembly through simple connection mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fabric coverings are installed over fixed frames, then the structure provides weather protection, but the fabric must be removed each winter due to snow load limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The frame's dynamic collapsible design allows the fabric covering to remain attached year-round. When snow load becomes problematic, the entire structure can be quickly collapsed and relocated to a storage area, eliminating the need to seasonally remove and reinstall fabric coverings.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is designed to be pre-assembled in a compact state for storage during off-seasons. This preliminary preparation allows rapid deployment when needed and eliminates the time-consuming process of assembling and disassembling fabric coverings each season.
3Reliability
If traditional outdoor structures are designed for permanence, then they provide durable shelter, but they require significant time and resources for construction and cannot be easily transported
Solution Approach 1:
The structure combines permanent-quality materials with dynamic mechanical mechanisms. The telescoping tubes, hinged struts, and fabric covering are designed to be durable like permanent structures, but the connections allow rapid collapse and reassembly, reducing setup time from days to minutes while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame components are designed to nest within each other when collapsed, with telescoping tubes containing smaller tubes and struts folding into compact configurations. This nesting arrangement maintains durability by protecting components during transport while enabling rapid deployment when needed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a collapsible mechanism is implemented, then the structure becomes transportable and easy to store, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible mechanism uses simple dynamic elements such as sliding hubs on tubes, hinged connections on struts, and pivot points at joints. These mechanical elements provide the necessary mobility and collapsibility without requiring complex motors, electronics, or sophisticated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure employs self-contained mechanical mechanisms that operate without external assistance. The slidable hubs move along tubes through direct manipulation, hinged struts fold through gravity-assisted motion, and connections engage and disengage through simple manual actions, eliminating the need for complex assembly tools or procedures.
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 allows for rapid setup and teardown by a single person, is fully assembled and transportable, and protects the structure and fabric from the elements when collapsed, addressing the inefficiencies and vulnerabilities of existing structures.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of hinged strut assemblies (600) each including a first end (640a) and a second end (640b) and capable of folding about a hinge
Implementation Method 2
the ends of the hinged strut assemblies are configured to i) pivot with respect to a top surface of the ceiling tube end cap, and ii) rotate about a central axis of the hinged strut assembly
Implementation Method 3
A slidable hub (220) can be arranged on the center tube and slidable movable between the top end portion and a bottom end portion
Implementation Method 4
each first proximal end being pivotably attached to the top hub
Implementation Method 5
each first proximal end being pivotably attached to the sliding hub
Data Source
AI summary
An internal collapsible frame for use with an outdoor living structure is provided. The internal collapsible frame can include a center tube assembly including a center tube including a top end portion and a bottom end portion. A slidable hub can be slidably arranged on the center tube. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of roof tube assemblies each including a first proximal end and a second distal end, each first proximal end being pivotably attached to the top hub. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of ceiling tube assemblies each including a first proximal end and a second distal end, each first proximal end being pivotably attached to the sliding hub and each second distal end being attached to an outer corner connection assembly. The internal collapsible frame can include a plurality of hinged strut assemblies each including a first end and a second end and being capable of folding about a hinge, each of the first and second ends of the hinged strut assemblies being attached to a ceiling tube end cap of a respective outer corner connection assembly and being capable of pivoting and rotating with respect to the ceiling tube end cap.