Fanned Vehicle Awning With Nested Pivot Arms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle awnings are not suitable for certain applications due to their lack of compact dimensions when closed, high manufacturing costs, and limited durability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle awning design featuring pivotably mounted awning arms with two distinct pivot axes and tilting capabilities, allowing for compact closure and easy operation by one person, with a base element that distributes forces for robustness and includes a detachable awning fabric for easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If awning arms are arranged exclusively side by side or one above the other, then the structure is simpler, but the compact dimensions when closed are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The awning arms are arranged in a nested configuration where arms pivot one above the other about different pivot axes, allowing the arms to be stacked compactly when closed similar to nested dolls, thereby achieving compact storage dimensions without excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from arranging arms in a single dimension (either all side-by-side or all stacked) to utilizing multiple dimensions by arranging arms in a combination of side-by-side and stacked configurations about different pivot axes, achieving compact three-dimensional folding
2Reliability
If the awning arms are rigidly fixed without tilting capability, then the structure is simpler, but damage or deformation occurs when lifted by tailgate, wind, or user
Solution Approach 1:
The awning arms are designed with tilting capability about a tilting axis in addition to the pivot axis, transforming the rigid fixed structure into a dynamic structure that can adapt its angle, allowing the arms to tilt upward when subjected to external forces like tailgate lifting or wind without causing damage or deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting mechanism allows the awning arms to change their angular parameter dynamically, adjusting the tilt angle in response to external forces such as wind pressure or manual handling, thereby preventing structural damage while maintaining operational reliability
3Ease of repair
If the awning fabric is permanently attached, then the structure is simpler, but replacement and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The awning fabric is segmented from the permanent structure through a detachable attachment mechanism, allowing the fabric to be separated into an independent replaceable component while maintaining a simple overall attachment system using conventional fastening elements
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable attachment mechanism enables the awning fabric to be easily removed, discarded, or replaced independently from the permanent awning structure, facilitating maintenance and repair without requiring replacement of the entire awning system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Vehicle awning (100) comprising an awning fabric (11) and awning arms (3, 3', 3", 3"') that are pivotally mounted about a pivot axis (S1, S2) on one of their ends.