Foldable Tent Frame With Multiple Hubs for Stress Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable tents face issues with stress concentration on the frame assembly, limited capacity, restricted headroom, limited shape configurations, and inefficient folding, which restrict their size and usability.
Innovation Solution
A foldable tent design featuring a frame with multiple hubs and collapsible poles that distribute stress evenly, allowing for larger volumes, increased headroom, varied configurations, and a more compact folding mechanism, with the tent fabric slidably coupled to the frame for stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single central hub is used to connect poles in a foldable tent, then the structure is simple and easy to assemble, but stress concentrates on the hub causing potential damage or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single central hub into multiple hubs distributed along the tent structure. Each hub connects to a subset of poles, segmenting the stress concentration point into multiple locations. This segmentation reduces the load on each individual hub while maintaining structural simplicity and ease of assembly.
2Volume of stationary object
If longer poles are used to increase tent volume for larger groups, then the tent capacity increases, but structural stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pole structure into multiple sections connected by joints, allowing the tent to achieve larger volume through extended pole sections rather than single long poles. The segmented pole sections can be individually supported by multiple hubs, maintaining stability while increasing overall tent capacity for larger groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional vertical and diagonal pole sections that extend the tent structure in multiple dimensions. By adding height and vertical support elements, the tent achieves increased volume without compromising stability, as the multi-dimensional support distribution reinforces the overall structure.
3Volume of stationary object
If the central hub is positioned at the apex of the tent, then the structure is compact, but head room is limited at radially outer portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the apex region into multiple hubs positioned at different locations along the tent structure. This distribution of hubs creates multiple peak regions rather than a single central apex, thereby increasing head room at radially outer portions while maintaining compact overall volume through the distributed hub configuration.
4Volume of stationary object
If elongated poles are used to increase overall tent length, then the tent capacity increases, but the folded length becomes relatively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the elongated pole structure into multiple collapsible sections that can be folded into each other. Each pole section connects to multiple hubs, allowing the tent to maintain its elongated capacity when deployed while collapsing into a compact folded state for storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested pole structure where telescoping pole sections fit within each other during folding. The outer pole sections contain inner sections, creating a compact nested configuration that reduces folded length while maintaining the ability to extend to the required overall tent length for accommodating larger groups.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable tent includes a frame coupled to a canopy such that the frame and canopy are collectively collapsible from an open configuration to a folded configuration. The frame includes a plurality of spaced apart hubs positioned at an upper portion of the frame, at least one upper roof pole pivotally coupled with two adjacent hubs, a plurality of lower roof poles pivotally coupled to a corresponding hub and extending radially outward from each respective hub and away from the upper roof pole, and a plurality of collapsible side poles pivotally coupled to a corresponding lower roof pole. A canopy fixedly slidably coupled to the frame such that the canopy is positioned within a radially inner space surrounded by the frame when the tent is in the open configuration and collectively collapsed and folded into a compact folded configuration.