Deployable Light Support Adaptor with Retention Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light support members for outdoor shade structures are aesthetically unpleasing and pose safety hazards due to their protrusion, and removable members can be easily lost or misplaced, causing inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A deployable light support system with a retention mechanism that allows the member to be stowed within the structure, providing an aesthetically pleasing and low-profile solution while ensuring safety by being selectively positionable for mounting or concealing the light device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a non-removable light support member is used, then the lighting device can be reliably supported, but the structure becomes aesthetically unpleasing and poses safety hazards due to constant protrusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting device support reliabilityVSAvoidaesthetic degradation and safety hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light support member is designed to be movable between a protruding position (when lighting device is mounted) and a retracted position (when not in use), transforming a static harmful structure into a dynamic one that adapts to operational needs, thereby eliminating aesthetic degradation and safety hazards while maintaining support reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a removable light support member is used, then the aesthetic appearance is improved when not in use, but the member can be easily lost or misplaced causing inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidconvenience of use

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The light support member is designed to nest within the hub structure when retracted, creating a compact integrated unit that prevents loss or misplacement while maintaining aesthetic appearance. The member is stored inside the hub cavity, making it invisible and secure when not in use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a deployable light support member is used, then aesthetic appeal and safety are enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to retention mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appeal and safetyVSAvoidretention mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retention mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage the light support member based on its position. When the member is inserted into the hub, the retention mechanism self-activates to lock it in place without requiring additional user actions, thereby minimizing operational complexity while maintaining aesthetic and safety benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2016851B1Light support adaptor

Publication Date: 2014.10.29 MA SRL

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AI summary

A light support system is provided for a structure for supporting a light device thereon. The system can comprise a deployable member and a retention mechanism. The deployable member can have an exterior surface onto which the light device can be mounted. The deployable member can be selectively movable from a stowed position to an extended position in which the member can support the lighting device. The member can be engaged in order to retain or lock the member in at least one of the stowed and extended positions.