Foldable canopy and method of using same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for protecting children from UV radiation and insects while using juvenile loungers are often inconvenient to carry and install, and they do not provide comprehensive protection from the elements.
Innovation Solution
A foldable canopy system with a base portion and canopy portion that can be easily attached to a juvenile lounger, featuring netting material with elastic bands for retention and pockets for storage, along with a foldable visor for added sun protection, designed to be portable and easy to install and store.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a canopy is attached to a juvenile lounger to provide protection from sun and insects, then protection effectiveness is improved, but portability and ease of installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy is divided into separate components: a base portion with a floor and uprights, a canopy portion with arches and netting, and a visor portion. These segments can be independently carried and assembled, improving portability while maintaining comprehensive protection when assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The canopy portions and netting materials are designed to nest within the base structure when not in use. The arches fold against the uprights, and netting stores in integrated pockets, allowing the entire assembly to collapse into a compact form for easy storage and transport.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If comprehensive protection features (netting, visor, canopy) are added to protect from elements, then protection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the arches provide structural support and sun shading, the netting material protects from insects, the visor blocks direct sunlight, and the floor contains the setup. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple protective features are merged into a single integrated structure. The canopy portion combines arches, netting material, and shading elements, while the base portion integrates the floor with storage pockets for the netting, creating a unified system rather than separate components.
3Ease of operation
If the canopy is designed to be foldable for portability, then ease of storage is improved, but structural stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The canopy transitions from a static structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable one. The arches are designed to fold against the uprights, and the entire structure can be collapsed and reassembled, providing both storage convenience and structural integrity when properly assembled.
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
The foldable canopy system effectively protects children from UV radiation and insects, is easy to install and store, and provides convenient sun protection, addressing the inconvenience of existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic band may be configured to retain the end portion of the netting material in place about an outer portion of the juvenile lounger
Implementation Method 2
The base floor may include a resilient frame member confined in a substantially ovular shape by a fabric body
Implementation Method 3
The foldable canopy portion may include a resilient frame member confined by a fabric body
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable canopy and method of use. The foldable canopy may include a foldable base portion having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side and substantially parallel therewith; a foldable canopy portion having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side; and wherein the first end of the foldable canopy portion may be attached to the first side of the foldable base portion and the second end of the foldable canopy portion may be attached to the second side of the foldable base portion, and wherein the foldable canopy portion may be attached to the foldable base portion such that in an unfolded state the foldable canopy portion is substantially arch shaped.