Deployable Tent Arches Stressed in Bending for Compact Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional deployable tents face challenges in assembly and disassembly speed, bulkiness in the folded position, and require significant physical effort for inflation, while existing solutions like pop-up tents have complex folding methods and inflatable tents need power sources.

Innovation Solution

A deployable tent design featuring a frame with deformable elongate members that transition between deployed and folded positions through bending deformation, utilizing a connection device and tension zones in the tent canvas to maintain stability and compactness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pop-up type tents are used for quick assembly, then assembly speed is improved, but the folding method becomes complex and the tent becomes bulky in folded position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidfolding method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into multiple deformable elongate members (first and second deformable elongate members) that can independently bend and deform. Each member is segmented into end portions that can move relative to each other, enabling simplified folding without complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame employs dynamic deformable members that can transition between rigid and flexible states. The elongate members bend during deployment and folding, allowing the tent to transform from a stable deployed position to a compact folded position without complex mechanical joints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If inflatable tents are used for quick assembly, then assembly speed is improved, but power source or manual inflation effort is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidinflation energy requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable elongate members are designed to deploy automatically through their own elastic properties. When the tent is assembled, the members naturally bend into position and maintain the deployed shape through their inherent elasticity, eliminating the need for external power sources or manual inflation efforts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the deformable members are optimized to provide the right balance of flexibility and rigidity. The members can bend during folding but maintain structural integrity in the deployed position, achieving deployment without energy input by utilizing controlled elastic deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If deformable rods are used in deployable tents, then assembly is simplified, but the structure may lack stability in deployed position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidframe stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable elongate members are constructed using composite materials or structures that combine flexibility for easy deformation during assembly with rigidity for stability in the deployed position. The composite structure allows the members to bend during folding but resist deformation when supporting the tent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire frame rigid and using complex mechanisms for folding, the invention inverts the approach by making the frame members themselves deformable. The stability is achieved not through rigid connections but through the controlled elastic behavior of the deformable members in their deployed configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Volume of moving object

If the frame is made compact in folded position, then transportability is improved, but the deformable members must undergo significant bending deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolded tent volumeVSAvoiddeformable member strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable elongate members are designed to nest within each other or coil into compact configurations when folded. The first and second deformable members can be positioned concentrically or in nested arrangements, minimizing the folded volume while distributing the bending stresses along their lengths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enables quick and easy assembly/disassembly with a compact folded shape, maintaining stability in the deployed position without requiring power, and simplifying the structure for easy transport.

Implementation Method 1

the bending deformation of the first and second deformable elongate elements of the first hoop increases and then decreases when passing between the deployed position and the folded position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBending deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

in the deployed position, the first and second deformable elongate elements of the first hoop exert pressure against each other. The first and second deformable elongate elements are therefore in tension, which gives rigidity to the first hoop

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP4010550B1Deployable tent provided with arches stressed in bending
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 DECATHLON SA
  • EP4010550B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4010550B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4010550B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a deployable tent (10) comprising a tent cloth (14), and a skeleton (12) comprising at least one first arch (16) provided with a first longilinear deformable element (20) and a second longilinear deformable element (22) that are arranged end-to-end by their first ends; wherein the first and second longilinear deformable elements (20, 22), wherein the skeleton has a folded position and a deployed position, and wherein, in the deployed position, the distance (D1) between the second ends (20b, 22b) of the first and second longilinear deformable elements (20, 22) of the first arch (16) is less than the sum of the lengths (L1, L2) of the first and second longilinear elements (20b, 22b), whereby the deformation in bending of the first and second longilinear deformable elements of the first arch increases and then decreases during the passage between the deployed position and the folded position.