Eccentric Articulation Shaft for Awning Arm Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing awning adjustment devices require repeated adjustments with arms open and may not allow external access for adjustment, leading to uneven arm movement and difficulty in achieving symmetrical alignment, especially when folding or unfolding awnings.

Innovation Solution

An adjustment device featuring an articulation shaft with an eccentric recess that can be rotated and locked within holes in the fixed support and arm end sections, allowing for stable direction adjustment and immobilization, enabling alignment in a closed position and preventing uneven arm movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If adjustment devices are used to position awnings at different inclinations, then the alignment of arm pairs can be adjusted, but the adjustment can only be carried out with arms open, requiring repeated operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment operationVSAvoidrepeated adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment device allows the articulation shaft to be adjusted to the desired inclination angle before the awning is deployed. The shaft can be set in different stable directions along a plane, enabling preliminary positioning of the arms in a closed or folded position, thereby avoiding repeated adjustments after deployment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If adjustment devices with concentric studs are used, then adjustment with closed arms is possible, but external access is limited by awning type

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment accessibilityVSAvoidcompatibility with different awning types
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment device is designed with a universal structure that can be applied to different types of awnings. The articulation shaft with eccentric recess and locking mechanism can be accessed from the outside regardless of the specific awning configuration, making it compatible with various awning types while maintaining ease of adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If articulation shafts with eccentric end sections are used, then the shafts can be secured to arms, but the arms move unevenly during opening and closing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaft-arm connection stabilityVSAvoidarm movement symmetry
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The articulation shaft incorporates an asymmetric eccentric recess that is not centrally located. This asymmetric geometry allows the shaft to be positioned at different stable directions along a plane, enabling precise control of the arm inclination while maintaining symmetric movement during operation. The eccentric recess works in conjunction with the locking stud to achieve both stability and symmetry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3312360B1Adjustment device for aligning awning arms
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 LLAZA
  • EP3312360B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3312360B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6a
  • EP3312360B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10a

AI summary

It comprises an articulation shaft (5, 6) as a connecting link articulated to an end section of each arm (3, 4), and a fixed support (1, 2); wherein the articulation shaft (5, 6) is introduced into holes facing each other located in the fixed support (1, 2) and in the end section of the arm (3, 4). The articulation shaft (5, 6) comprises an eccentric recess (9, 10) that is in contact with a contact surface situated in correspondence with a widened area of the outline of the hole of the fixed support (1, 2); wherein the articulation shaft (5, 6) is configured to be able to rotate in order to position said articulation shaft (5, 6) in one of the different stable directions (5', 6') along a plane.