Double-hinged Awning Arm for Clearance Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Awnings with traditional single-hinge articulated arms often require a higher suspension height due to the sloping design, which can limit clearance and hinder door opening or slide-out room functionality, especially in spaces with limited height such as campers or under eaves.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple hinges in articulated arms allows for rotation around two pivots, enabling the arms to bend and create a downward dip in the awning cloth, increasing available clearance by forming two flat parts with different slopes, thus allowing for full door opening or slide-out functionality even with limited suspension height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional single-hinge articulated arms are used with a sloping design for drainage, then rain water drainage is improved, but the required suspension height increases, reducing available clearance for door opening or slide-out room functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated arm is divided into multiple segments (first arm part and second arm part) connected by multiple hinges, allowing each segment to rotate independently. This segmentation enables the arm to create a downward dip in the awning cloth while maintaining a lower suspension height, thus providing both drainage functionality and adequate clearance for door opening or slide-out room operation
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple hinges allow the articulated arm to rotate around two different pivots (first pivot for folding/opening motion, second pivot for creating downward dip). This multi-dimensional rotation capability enables the awning cloth to form a sloped drainage path while the arm itself remains positioned lower, increasing available clearance in the vertical dimension
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the roll-up shaft is suspended at a higher position to accommodate the sloping awning cloth, then drainage functionality is improved, but the available space for door opening or slide-out room is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple hinges create a dynamic structure where the articulated arm can adapt its configuration. The first and second hinges allow the arm to rotate and position itself optimally, creating a downward dip in the awning cloth that maintains drainage functionality while reducing the required suspension height, thus increasing available space for door opening or slide-out room operation
3Ease of operation
If multiple hinges are used in articulated arms to create a downward dip and increase clearance, then door opening and slide-out room functionality are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple hinges in the articulated arm serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enable the arm to fold and open, create a downward dip in the awning cloth for drainage, and adjust the suspension height to maximize clearance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved door opening and slide-out room functionality
Data Source
AI summary
Awning of the type which is provided with a roll-up shaft (3) on which is wound a cloth (4) which is fixed with one edge to a front lath (5) which is supported by means of two or more articulated arms (6), every articulated arm (6) consisting of at least two arm parts (9-10) which are hinge (12)—mounted to one another so as to be able to fold together the articulated arm (6) around a pivot (16) and to open it. The hinge (12) is a multiple hinge which not only allows for a rotation around the above-mentioned first pivot (16), but which at least also allows for a rotation around a second pivot (17) which is directed crosswise or mainly crosswise to the first pivot (16).